Concept of Mimesis: A Phenomenon of Semiotic Interaction

Abstract

In the past few decades, mimesis is comprehended as an important aspect to interface between literature, language and society, a phenomenon of semiotic interaction. By highlighting different semantic dimensions of the concept, mimesis is seen as being composed of various phases of interaction and as such, it is connected with imitation, depiction, iconicity and other semiotic concepts. The aim of this paper is to bring in potential possibilities for understanding and using the notion of mimesis in connection with some semiotic concepts and views.

‘Mimesis’ a Greek term which meant for Plato removed from reality and distortion is manipulated by Aristotle to mean something apparently better than reality. As Aristotle tried to put a new concept against Plato’s charge in the same way this paper focuses on possible concordances and structural analogies involved in imitation of foreign language in Indian society. This study will also reveal that any speaker can be good enough in expression but an artful skill is required to make an accurate and proper articulation. Thus the paper strongly supports the view that ‘Mimesis’ was probably not a notion with a single meaning even in the times when first mentioned in the literature. Therefore it is quite superficial to refer to it today as a single entity.