Chapter 8. The complex time of signs

Abstract

Semiosis develops under the conditions of semiotic complexity. Translation directly addresses such conditions, like non-linearity, perspective pluralism, emergence, material diversity. In this work, I suggest that the complexity of sign processes is related to their time. I make use of C. S. Peirce’s theory of categories and process philosophy, to suggest that the complex nature of sign action is related to the way the time of signs is multilayered. In this framework, translation can be conceptualised as a temporal operation that redistributes the time of signs so that source signs habitually recur in target signs. This approach suggests a focus on the irreducible gaps in the time of signs, such as in situations of surprise, or break of habit.