Forma rytualna, język, znaczenie.Uwagi o semiotyce działań rytualnych

Abstract

Sławomir Sztajer – RITUAL FORM, LANGUAGE AND MEANING. REMARKS ON THE SEMIOTICS OF RITUAL ACTION This article is dedicated to the problem of meaning of ritual action. Its point of departure is Frits Staal’s conception of ritual according to which ritual is pure activity deprived of meaning, function and goal. According to Staal, it is not semantics but ‘grammar’ that is more important in ritual. In the respect of grammar, ritual is similar to language and the theory of ritual resembles the theory of syntax. Yet, ritual is not a language. Staal defends the thesis that the syntax of natural language emerged from ritual which is a rule-governed activity. Although Staal’s conception contri-butes to the study of ritual, it constitutes a reductionist approach that prevents the students of ritual from emphasizing other important dimensions of ritual activity. The study of ritual requires creating a broad semiotic perspective which takes into account other branches of semiotics. Never-theless, the theory of ritual syntax may constitute a basis for semantic and pragmatic research.