| Abstract [eng] |
This master's thesis explores the definition and function of linguistic signs in St. Augustine’s dialogue De Magistro, situating the analysis at the intersection of semiotics, semantics, and philosophical linguistics. The study focuses on how Augustine's conceptualization of signs—particularly verbal signs—develops through the dialogic interaction with his son Adeodatus and how this dialogical framework reveals fundamental tensions between language, thought, and knowledge transmission. The theoretical part of the thesis reviews key semiotic and linguistic theories, including those of Ferdinand de Saussure, Charles S. Peirce, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and the classical philosophical tradition (Plato, Aristotle). Particular attention is given to Augustine's classification of signs (signa naturalia and signa data) and the distinction between words as mere sounds and as signs that mediate interior meaning. The research further contextualizes these notions within the framework of religious language and ostensive teaching. The analytical part presents a close reading of De Magistro, highlighting the role of dialogical dynamics in constructing meaning. Through examples such as the words si (if) and nihil (nothing), the study demonstrates how linguistic signs in Augustine's thought are not only referential but also relational, functioning within a triadic structure of sign, meaning, and the inner word (verbum interius). The dialogue's pedagogical structure is shown to mirror semiotic processes, where understanding arises not through direct transmission but through internal reflection and divine illumination. Special emphasis is placed on the parallels between Augustine's semiotic reflections and modern theatre theory. Drawing on drama the thesis suggests that the deconstruction of meaning through language games resonates with Augustinian insights into the limitations of verbal communication and the necessity of interpretation. The performative aspect of De Magistro — its tension between surface dialogue and deeper philosophical inquiry — is interpreted as inherently theatrical. In conclusion, the thesis argues that Augustine’s theory of signs, while rooted in theological and philosophical traditions, offers a model for understanding language as a performative and relational phenomenon. This model challenges purely referential or structuralist approaches to linguistics by emphasizing the experiential, interpretative, and ultimately transcendent dimensions of signification. |
