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To piggyback on the foregoing, re language, semiotics, etc., semiotics was
introduced by John Poinsot, a Portuguese priest, around 1700. Unknown to
Charles Sanders Peirce, America's greatest philosopher from Cambridge MA
(where, regrettably, many people still don't know about him), Peirce
originated the basis for the semiotics of today. Umberto Eco has
popularized this subject in many ways. It's a good area to delve into for
those who understand the language basis for many organizational troubles.
I haven't seen, so far, the name of Michel Foucault arise in these
discussions. Anyone who is interested in change should read his book
titled THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE. This book has had world-wide impact
in terms of several of the buzzwords of today. His use of language is
superb. This book will be the source of many quotations, as it becomes
better known.
Also I haven't seen the concept of shared linguistic domain (Maturana,
Chile), but the development of a shared linguistic domain has to be an
integral part of any successful organizational development, whenever the
subject is complex.
After so much pontification, I want to raise a new question in this
context. Within the communication sphere of the LO, has anyone given any
thought to the methodology for developing a shared linguistic domain in
organizations (i.e., the mixing bowl within which consensus might be
stirred up)?
JOHN WARFIELD
Jwarfiel@osf1.gmu.edu