The field of semiotics is fascinating. These studies have become such an intricate part of so many disciplines since St Augustine in On Christian Doctrine (ca. 395 ) linked the theory of signs to a theory of language for the practice of unraveling and interpreting the figurative language in the Scriptures. Augustine' s principles, the basic elements of signification, were transmitted to the modern linguist Ferdinand De Saussure, who coined the term "semiology." Roland Barthes explored the semiology of fashion, advertising, and travel. Claude Levi-Strauss studied myths and kinship systems within different cultures as a system of signs to be interpreted. Jacques Lacan used Saussure to reformulate Freud in linguistic terms. And figurative signs "commuted" (to use Jacques Derrida's term) things into signs in a process that may be, for modern theorists, interminable--this process of commutation, however, undermines the stable referentiality that Augustine sought. Ah, full circle--can the world and words really be commensurate? Diane To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/