Verbatim quote · from the corpus

“Thinking in language does require the assumption of a minimally conceived extra-semiotic element, however: otherwise, all we can do is string out a series of vaguely connected descriptions of language. Only an account of language as emergent and constitutive, as an event, which tells us why there is language rather than none and what language is for can enable an ordered inquiry in language. The originary hypothesis provides us with such an account, by positing an originary event which defines language as the deferral of violence through representation. Every word, every sentence, every sign, then, defers, or contributes to the deferral of some mode of potentially catastrophic violence, as that possible violence appears to some sign user within some configuration of relations which in turn overlaps with other configurations. Through our intuition of the sign aimed at deferring violence we apprehend the scene upon which the threat of violence is gathering, and we can work our way through the itinerary of the signs constitutive of that scene. And, of course, signs don't always work, and even when they do only partially so—we can defer the most imminent and seemingly devastating eruptions of violence, but not necessarily always them and certainly never abolish violence as such.”

— Adam Katz, Another Version of "Idioms of Inquiry" Despite the Changed Title (Adam Katz) · Aug 2009 · Essays & Articles