Semiotics in Norway

Sven Storelv

pp. 369-385

in: Thomas Sebeok, Jean Umiker-Sebeok (eds), The semiotic sphere, Berlin, Springer, 1986

Abstract

In attempting to give a survey of the development of semiotics in Norway I must begin by emphasizing three points: (1) As the development of Norwegian semiotics belongs to the recent past, the very nearness of the historical scene one wishes to observe and describe makes it rather difficult to discern the historical movement and the major strands. The observer and analyst may notice what makes up and characterizes the different fields and practices among which he finds himself situated, but he can form no clearly outstanding picture of how the landscape will appear from a greater distance; (2) The nearness not only prevents him from seeing the relatively permanent trends or 'schools," but also keeps him from doing justice to scholars and their works, and picking out those worthy of mention and comment; (3) As a matter of fact, it is impossible to reduce the development of semiotics to a simple line of evolution.