A sociological hermeneutics for schizophrenic language

Abstract

Drawing upon Kenneth Burke's distinction between semantic and poetic meaning in all language used by human actors, a sociological hermeneutics for understanding the social character of schizophrenic language is developed. The study's perspective is identified through a critical review of Roy Wolcott, Harry Stack Sullivan, Norman Cameron, Gregory Bateson, and Janusz Wrobel's work on the language of schizophrenia. A humanistic interest in the development of more inclusive and open interactions with people suffering from schizophrenia is advocated.