Performative analysis of the word ditch in "Territórios da Memória", By The Vladimir Herzog Institute

Abstract

Abstract Since Saussure’s notion of the arbitrariness of the sign followed by Bakhtin’s critical discourse analysis, there is more recently Dijk’s focus on contextualization and Krieg-planque’s word performance along with Paveau’s discussion on the axiology of enunciation, all of them allowing present studies on language to overcome assumptions of objectivity and purity in search for a critical functionality of language. This work analyses the word ditch in its process of ranging from its literal meaning as a concrete noun, passing through metaphorization and ending up as a political performer of its reality, according to Krieg-Planque. It is also questions the axiological decision and its possible consequences of using either “cemetery” or “ditch” for interchangeably meanings, all of them in an audiovisual documentary series about the Truth Committee opened to investigate the disappearance of hundreds of people during Brazilian military dictatorship, focused on Dom Bosco or Perus’ cemetery, in the city of São Paulo.   Key words: The Truth Committee; ditch; performative discourse analysis; axiom.