The Historical Accumulation of meaning

 Human beings live in a symbolic reality. This symbolic reality has many facets. Reality, which is not just out there. Reality which is much more in motion than a continuously moving hour hand of the most accurate clock. What are the symbols we are talking about? These can be anything. Anything at all. Words, most of all, words. Objects, gestures etc. We need to understand something before we jump to the conclusion which I have asserted here as an introduction. This something is the Historical accumulation of meaning. 

We define something. What do we mean when we state a definition. Something which is new to the world. When we give it a name and then define it, we are basically demarcating boundaries of meaning unique to the word and at the same time, stating its features. But is the meaning of the word or object defining it all? Common sense says yes. But Here is an example which will give you the next better perspective. 

Do you know what the word "Sachin" means? Most of you do not. But what an average Indian or for that matter, an average Cricket fan, thinks of Sachin is very vivid and clear. An epitome of the sport and for anything. Since, Sachin Tendulkar was a legend of cricket, He has given a new meaning to the word "Sachin", It means someone very good in Cricket and for that matter, anything. For example, you are a Sachin of your life. By the way, Originally Sachin means something which is related to pure existence. Are not the two meanings very different? 

This is what I mean when I say Historical accumulation of meaning. Words, objects and gestures travel in time and through histories and in different historical contexts, assume different meanings. This, in effect, breaks the boundaries of meaning of the word originally defined and this starts the journey of the word to transform into a symbol. What do I mean when I say a symbol? Symbol means, anything from which its original meaning is snatched away and is now only left with the historical accumulation it has got in time. It can be correlated with the deconstruction theory of Derrida. Here, when the Author's interpretation has died completely and has left the word with the interpretation of the people in power. People in power can easily subvert and give it an entirely different meaning which makes the etymology moot. What this has to do with our grand project? very much so. 

The problems faced by Humanity today has a fair share of problems which is because of the different meanings the words have accumulated throughout history. Let us take an example. Dharma is translated to Religion or Mazhab in Urdu. But if we go through the etymological meanings, we will be perplexed to know that they are very different words. Dharma is defined as "Dharayate iti Dharma" or Something which is to be held in heart. Mazhab derives from Arabian Madhab, which means to go off something, May be go beyond life, may be. Religion, at last, derives from Anglo-french religio meaning to have a moral reverence towards the sacred. 

This is just the beginning. We have not even gone through the historical accumulation the words have gone through in their separate histories. Mazhab in the middle east, Religion in Europe and Dharma in the Indian Sub-continent. This in itself is very important when we try to resolve the issues of Secularism and religion in the Political theory discourse. We need to roam deeply in the historical horizon of each word. As a matter of fact, I assert, it is the future of every word, object or gesture and that it will turn into an inanimate symbol, Symbol, which has got its meaning travelling through history. The Etymology will fade off from common human consciousness and only in intellectual discourses, it will be remembered. This, I assert, is why every ruling class tries to silence the intelligentsia when it comes to power. They want to symbolize, if I may now use this word, to every possible gesture, word or object. Look at what the current scene in India with respect to religion is. Colors, Animals, food everything is now merely a symbol symbolizing either your political stance or personal beliefs.  This points out the need for a constant watch at least on the meanings these symbols are taking and whether something close to the hearts of the common people is subverted and given an entirely destructive meaning by the people in power, hence starting a symbolic warfare of meanings. The fight of religion, the fight of caste, the fight of gender has many facets but hardly anyone thinks on this facet. Subversion of meaning, change of meaning by the ruling class is very common. This, we find mention in the discourse of hegemony by Gramsci and latest in the discourse of "Ideology" by Slavoj Zizek. There is a need to look in this area of ideology formation through historical accumulation of meanings. 

I will try to build up on this idea further in next blogs. Thanks for reading. 

Inquilab Zindabad 

Vibhat Kumar 

19-11-2023