[The function of neologism in relation to the precipitating process of psychosis].
Based on clinical observations, the author presented his reflections on the function of neologism appearing during the initial phase of psychosis. When the patient feels he is being interrogated as to his membership in certain groups significant to him, the neologism becomes manifest; neologism keeps him in touch with the group in that its content reflects how the patient feels he is viewed by the group; the patient, however, is not able to question his membership on a conscious level, but receives all at once, through auditory hallucinations, an affirmative answer in neologism. Why does neologism assume those idiosyncratic forms of language? There seem to be logical necessities. When a subject belongs to a group, he needs to speak a metalanguage that is richer than the language proper to it, in order to convey "It is true that I belong to this group." This is required because he must avoid the Russel type paradox of self-reference. For example, in order for a Japanese to say, "It is true that I am Japanese", he ought to express it in a metalanguage that is richer than his mother tongue. Scientific languages, such as those of anthropology or linguistics, may seem appropriate. However, as Wittgenstein and Lacan have pointed out, such a metalanguage does not really exist. Notwithstanding, it remains the goal of psychotic neologism and is the reason that psychotic neologism is destined to impossibility or dissolution of actual sense. On the other hand, it is conjectured that in normal subjects, group membership is not effectuated by such a metalanguage, but by fragmental and insignificant phonetic element that he incorporates at the earliest phase of development.
Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University.
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Shingu
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010700:Phonetics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014705:Verbal Behavior