Skip to main content

A Comparative Study of Selected Semiotic Elements of Different Branches of Fortune-Telling

  • Chapter
Semiotics 1981
  • 378 Accesses

Abstract

This paper represents part of an ongoing synchronic study of the unique function language, sign systems and ceremony play in the dyadic encounter between a fortuneteller and his client.1 We have found that fortune-telling can best be described as an interface of selected elements of persuasive and dyadic communication within the framework of visual, discourse and social semiotic systems. In this particular paper we will compare various visual and textual semiotic aspects of some of the various branches of fortune- telling (card, coffee and palm reading) from the specific point of view of the ceremony, sign systems and plot building involved in the fortune-teller--client dyadic encounter.

This research has been supported by the Ben Gurion University of the Negev (1979–1980) and the Israel National Academy of Sciences (1980–81, 1981–82) whose generous assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aphek, E. and Tobin, Y., 1981a, The language of fortune-telling: an interface of dyadic and persuasive communication in a discourse and social semiotic framework, Interfaces, 15: 6–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aphek, E., and Tobin, Y., 1981c, The language of cartomancy: a sociolinguistic perspective, in: “Proceedings 1 of the Sixth AILA World Congress,” pp. 436–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aphek, E. and Tobin, Y., forthcoming a, A linguistic analysis of the language of palm readers: a preliminary analysis, in: “Angewandte Soziolinguistik,” M. Hartig, ed., Gunter Naar Verlag, Tübingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aphek, E. and Tobin, Y., forthcoming b, Semiotics in carto¬mancy, in: “Encyclopedic Dictionary of Semiotics,” T. A. Sebeok etal, eds., Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aphek, E. and Tobin, Y., forthcoming c, The language of coffee reading, in: “Proceedings of the Third European Symposium on L.S.P.,” Nyt Nordisk Forlag Arnold Busck, Copenhagen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aphek, E., Bergman, Z., and Tobin, Y., 1982, The role of word systems in the language of family therapy in Hebrew speaking families in the State of Israel, in: Proceedings of the Third European Symposium on L. S. P., Nyt Nordisk Forlag Arnold Busck, Copenhagen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bettinghaus, E., 1973, “Persuasive Communication,” Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corti, M., 1973, Le jeu comme generation du texte des tarots au recit. Semiotica 7: 33–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronkite, G., 1969, “Persuasion, Speech and Behavioral Change,” Bobbs-Merrill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egorov, B.F., 1964, The simplest semiotic systems and the typology of plots, in: “Soviet Semiotics: An Anthology,” D. Lucid, ed., John Hopkins, Baltimore. Original Russian: Egorov, B.F., 1964, Cadanie na kartakh i tipologia syuzhetov, LSH 1, (Reprinted TZs II, 106-115).

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday, M.A.K., 1978, “Language as a Social Semiotic,” Edward Arnold, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendricks, W., 1973, “Essays on Semiolinguistics and Verbal Text,” Mouton, the Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoveland, C.I. etal, 1957, “The Order of Persuasion in Language,” Yale University Press, New Haven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S. K., 1970, Tarot Cards for Fun and Fortune-Telling, Aquarian, Wellingborough.

    Google Scholar 

  • Labov, W. and Fanshel, D., 1977, “Therapeutic Discourse: Psychotherapy as Conversation,” Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A., 1972, “The Fine Art of Propaganda,” Octagon, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lekomceva, M.I. and Uspenski, B. A., 1977, Describing a semiotic system with a simple syntax, in: “Soviet Semiotics: An Anthology,” D. Lucid, ed., John Hopkins, Baltimore. Original Russian: Lekomceva, M.I. and Uspenski, B.A., 1962, Cadenie na igralinykh kartakh kak semioticheskaya sistema. Simpozium, pp. 83–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, B. W., 1979, “The Dictionary of the Occult,” Rider, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pittenger, R., Hockett, C., and Danehy, J., 1966, “The First Five Minutes,” Paul Martineau, Ithaca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Propp, V., 1970, “Morphologie du Conte,” Editions du Seuil, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roloff, M.E. and Miller, G.R., 1980, “Persuasion: New Directions in Theory Research,” Sage, Beverly Hills.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandell, R., 1977, “Linguistics, Style and Persuasion,” Academic, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watzlawick, P., 1978, “The Language of Change: Elements of Therapeutic Communication,” Basic Books, Inc., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wodak, R., 1981, How do I put my problem? Problem presentation therapy and interview. Text 1: 2, 191–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Aphek, E., Tobin, Y. (1983). A Comparative Study of Selected Semiotic Elements of Different Branches of Fortune-Telling. In: Deely, J.N., Lenhart, M.D. (eds) Semiotics 1981. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9328-7_42

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9328-7_42

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-9330-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-9328-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics