Comparative Analysis of Signifier and Signified: From Saussure’s Convention to Derrida’s Différance and the Theory of Unity in Multiplicity in Islamic Philosophy

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research

Authors

1 PhD graduate in Arabic Language and Literature from Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran.

2 "Head of Department and Faculty Member of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran."

Abstract

The perennial philosophical and linguistic debate centers on “meaning” and its connection to “expressive forms” or signifiers. While Western philosophical frameworks have traditionally guided linguistic inquiry, a comprehensive examination from the perspective of Islamic philosophy and Transcendent Wisdom (Hekmat-e Mota’aliyah) remains underexplored. This research employs a descriptive-analytical approach, integrating foundational linguistic theories with Islamic philosophy to comparatively analyze three key frameworks: Ferdinand de Saussure’s structuralism, Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction, and the conceptual system of Transcendent Wisdom.

Our findings suggest that Transcendent Wisdom offers a more robust and integrated model for semiotics. It posits a “singular signified” that manifests through a variety of linguistic and expressive forms, thereby providing a richer explanation for the meaning-signifier relationship than either Saussure or Derrida individually achieve. By grounding its analysis in Islamic metaphysical principles, this approach establishes an innovative linguistic paradigm. This paradigm not only ensures the continuity and stability of meaning over time but also accounts for the diversity of expressive forms across languages and historical periods. Ultimately, this study introduces a novel linguistic theory rooted in Islamic thought, with broad applicability in language studies, literature, humanities, and artificial intelligence.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Islamic Philosophical Doctrines

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 December 2025

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