At 09:58 28/02/98 +0000, you wrote:
>
>In writing some prose recently I was trying to find an adjective to
>describe those reusable, renewable linguistic elements of a text --
>sensible to the (re)writer as raw material -- those manifold elements of a
>text which make it 'scriptible' (writerly) in Barthes' terms, although I am
>more interested in reusing, reconfiguring new text, than in extending
>criticism.
>
>Anyway, I settled, provisionally, on 'manipulable' as in: The manipulable
>elements of the text (letters, typically, for me). But I was/am very
>dissatisfied with this. Then I was surprised not to be able to come up with
>many potential synonyms, and even more surprised by the degree to which the
>possible synonyms -- malleable, plastic, ductile, etc. -- seem to be
>derogatory of the material they qualify (as well as mostly being from a
>sculptural, mould-making, men-of-clay metaphoric complex). Such material is
>characterized as willing to suffer abuse. Even 'use' itself seems often to
>imply abuse. ('I'm just using you.')
>
>So the question is: do you have any suggetions?
>
>(Actually, I have my own solution, but I'd rather not prejudice any
>potential responses. Thanks in anticipation.)
>
>
>
Re-citable.
John
John Hall
Vice Principal (Academic)
Dartington College of Arts
Totnes
Devon TQ9 6EJ
Direct Line: 01803 861649
Fax: 01803 866053
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