Post-poststructuralism: Anti-semiotics and the recovery of proper linguistic function

Recently, Poststructuralism has moved to the forefront of linguistic theory and has given birth to an "open" view of meaning. Infusing itself into contemporary postmodern culture, Poststructuralism not only threatens the putative notions of truth, but also questions whether knowledge of truth is even possible. Particularly, it challenges the thesis that human language can be a proper vehicle for communicating and retaining truth's content effectively. Instead, it relegates communication to the realm of hopeless subjectivity.; This dissertation not only critiques semiotics and the structural and poststructural philosophies it spawns, but it also proposes a new model of linguistics based on Alvin Plantinga's Proper Function. The ultimate aim is to preserve the notion of univocal meaning in thought and written and spoken communication. To accomplish this, this paper will show that linguistic production is a subset of a properly functioning cognitive process that yields warranted belief.; To open the way for a new description of linguistics, the task first is to critique the predominant linguistic theory: Poststructuralism. To accomplish this, careful attention is given to delineate Saussure's system of structural linguistics. Next, this dissertation will document the reliance of Poststructuralism on the tenets of Saussure's system, concluding that Poststructuralism is built on a Saussurean foundation. Subsequently, the paper will turn to a critique of Saussure and a demonstration of how this entails the demise of Poststructuralism. As structuralist linguistics is undermined, therefore, so then are the cognitive claims of Poststructuralism.; After undermining Poststructuralism, Structuralism, and their understandings of linguistics, the topic will turn to the formation of another model of linguistics based on Alvin Plantinga's Proper Functionalism. What will be seen is that the human linguistic apparatus takes subjective awareness, assigns a signifier to it, and creates differentiated thought. The assignment of signification is controlled by a belief-forming mechanism a la Plantinga. The result is a reliable assignment of value to thought that holds currency throughout a linguistic community. Moreover, this stabilization of meaning extends to other verbal and nonverbal signifiers such as context and tone. The discussion will conclude with the repercussions of this model and the advantages it holds over other systems that rely on deontology or justification.