IJDS 2.1 Sinha

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volume 2 Number 1 Fall 2007

Self, Symbol and Subject: A Commentary
on Lyra’s “On Abbreviation; Dialogue in Early Life”
Chris Sinha
University of Portsmouth, UK pp. 45-50

ABSTRACT. Lyra presents a methodologically sophisticated analysis of the ontogenetic course of microgenetic processes in infant-caretaker interaction. The article raises important issues concerning the relationship between microgenesis and ontogenesis. Lyra’s argument that the microgenetic phase of abbreviated dialogue constitutes a seed of, or precursor to, the semiotic function is convincing. I question, however, both Lyra’s extension of this to an assumption that symbolic dialogicality is thereby already established, and her interpretation of the common ground of co-participation in terms of shared knowledge. I conclude by noting that developmental analyses such as Lyra’s have an important role to play in the conceptual clarification of dialogic theory.

Self, Symbol and Subject: A Commentary on Lyra’s “On Abbreviation; Dialogue in Early Life” Chris Sinha University of Portsmouth, UK	pp. 45-50

ABSTRACT. Lyra presents a methodologically sophisticated analysis of the ontogenetic course of microgenetic processes in infant-caretaker interaction. The article raises important issues concerning the relationship between microgenesis and ontogenesis. Lyra’s argument that the microgenetic phase of abbreviated dialogue constitutes a seed of, or precursor to, the semiotic function is convincing. I question, however, both Lyra’s extension of this to an assumption that symbolic dialogicality is thereby already established, and her interpretation of the common ground of co-participation in terms of shared knowledge. I conclude by noting that developmental analyses such as Lyra’s have an important role to play in the conceptual clarification of dialogic theory.