Abstract

The intention of this paper is to consider the possibility of a post-existential position on the representation of experience in language by first, within this context, contrasting existentialism with structural linguistics. Binswanger’s ‘Case of Lola Voss’ is re-examined and an outline of existential and linguistic positions are given on the subjects of ‘reality’ and ‘experience’ and their relation to language. The question arises as to whether experience is to be found in what is said, or in the saying? A further question is then examined regarding whether it is perhaps self deception which causes us to reach for pre-existing linguistic constructs to represent that which existed originally outside of linguistic categorisation?