Beyond the Symbols

Jacques Derrida's work “Différance” is noteworthy because of his intended misspelling of the word difference. he claims to have done this as a form of process. To illustrate the insignificance of symbols; however upon seeing this I couldn't help but to question if his work does this successfully.

Derrida misspells the word difference to highlight how changes in the symbols of the word fail to change the pronunciation of the word. I thought this was an interesting demonstration. His changes did successfully represent the relativity of written language. He illustrates the idea that words are merely symbols that represent an idea. We are taught that these symbols represent sounds that represent words; however once a word has been constructed it is difficult to strip it back down to merely sounds. Once a concept has been created it is no longer a collection of symbols. It is no longer a collection of sounds. It is a living breathing word, an active concept. I think his alterations to the word 'difference' clearly illustrates this. Despite these changes the word is still pronounced and concept is still relatively the same.
           
“Différance” is understood in similar terms as the word 'difference'; however I must question why these changes are so significant. If the vehicle of language really was as fluid and relative as Derrida intends to prove, I feel these changes would not bare any significance. The fact that Derrida changes the spelling does matter and I don't think that this can be ignored when discussing the function of written language. In a way I think his demonstration also illustrates a more dimensional understanding of written language. That even though the written language is merely symbols when stripped of their conceptual merit; changes in these symbols clearly have an affect on the message being communicated. “Différance” does more than merely illustrate the insignificance and significance of written language. It is a self portrait of how written language functions and what makes the medium so significant in the process of communication.