JE Perspectives sur l’histoire de la sémiotique (23/10/2019) [2/8]

JE Perspectives sur l’histoire de la sémiotique (23/10/2019) [2/8]

JE Perspectives on the history of semiotics (23/10/2019) [2/8]

by Thomas Broden · View the channel on PSI

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Science — General & History GTInterdisciplinary studiesGTDSemiotics
🎙 Thomas Broden 👥 178 📅 October 29, 2019 ⏱ 29 min 👁 162 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-10-10
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

semioticstranslationreceptionstructuralismGreimas

Summary

The talk, given by Thomas Broden at a seminar, explores the role of translations in the worldwide reception of Algirdas Julien Greimas’s semiotic works. Broden argues that studying translations reveals the mechanisms of cultural exchange and intellectual influence, intertwined with personal contacts, institutional networks, and linguistic affinities. He outlines Greimas’s career, from early lexicology to structural semantics and the development of the Paris School semiotics. The analysis is organized by language groups: Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese) saw the earliest and most abundant translations due to cultural proximity and the active involvement of figures like Umberto Eco and Paolo Fabbri. Germanic languages, especially English, lagged significantly, with the first book translation appearing in 1979 and ‘Sémantique structurale’ only in 1983, reflecting the empiricist and anti-theoretical tendencies in Anglo-American academia. Broden also touches on Slavic, Asian, and Lithuanian contexts, noting the unique status of Lithuanian as his native language but under Soviet influence. He highlights that Latin American scholars, particularly in Brazil, adapted his ideas to broader societal critiques. The talk underscores the importance of translation as a lens for understanding the global dissemination of ideas and concludes with a call for deeper research across more languages.

196 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The talk provides substantial informational value, offering a comprehensive and data-rich account of how translations of Greimas’s works distributed unevenly across linguistic and cultural boundaries. The argumentation is solid, grounded in archival research and statistical data (e.g., percentages of foreign students, publication delays). Broden carefully distinguishes between different reception contexts and acknowledges limitations, such as the impracticality of covering all languages. The comparative framework and attention to specific agents (translators, academics) strengthen the persuasiveness of his claims. However, the spoken format limits in-depth evidence, and some sections are summarized rather than fully analyzed.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation demonstrates strong rigor through its reliance on concrete data (e.g., numbers of editions, timing of translations) and references to principal works by Greimas and key interlocutors like Umberto Eco. Although no formal bibliography is provided, the speaker’s expertise and the explicit mention of sources (e.g., ‘Sémantique structurale’, dictionaries) lend credibility. The title adequately reflects the content, as it situates the discussion within the history of semiotics. The talk appears to be part of a structured series, suggesting a coherent scholarly context.

191 words

Title / Content Match

The title broadly indicates a focus on the history of semiotics, which is well matched by the detailed presentation on translation and reception of Greimas's work within that history.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The lecture is given by a recognized academic from Purdue University, based on his own research and documented historical data. The content is scholarly, detailed, and demonstrates careful analysis of sources, though it remains a conference presentation rather than a peer-reviewed publication.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

  • Sémantique structurale (1966) — Greimas's major work, mentioned as a key text that was translated late into English.
  • Dictionnaire raisonné de la théorie du langage (1979) — Collaborative dictionary, first book translated into English.
  • Algirdas Julien Greimas (works and seminars) — The focus of the entire talk, discussing his oeuvre and its translations.

Contribution & Novelties

This talk offers a systematic, comparative analysis of translations of Greimas’s work, going beyond mere bibliographic documentation to situate each translation within socio-cultural and institutional contexts. It highlights the roles of specific individuals (e.g., Paolo Fabbri, Umberto Eco) and networks in facilitating or hindering reception, and it clarifies the different trajectories in Romance versus Germanic language cultures. The originality lies in the dynamic mapping of intellectual influence through translation, demonstrating that the ‘global’ reception was uneven and shaped by language dominance, academic traditions, and personal connections.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Algirdas Julien Greimas — Provides background on his life and theoretical contributions, useful for understanding the context of the talk.
  • Structuralism — The intellectual movement that Greimas’s work belongs to, helping to situate the reception discussed.
  • Translation studies — The academic field that examines translation as a cultural phenomenon, directly relevant to the talk’s methodology.

146 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows balanced scores across all dimensions, reflecting a well-rounded academic presentation with solid information density, technical depth, and reliability. The slightly higher scores on quantitative information and technical level indicate a specialized audience, while the overall quality supports a strong but not exceptional rating.

Reliability 8/10