Identity as a Cognitive Code: The Northern Irish Paradigm

Ailbhe Ó Corráin

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

    Abstract

    Although the notion of identity is one of the central concerns of the human and social sciences and has been studied from a wide variety of perspectives, the concept itself evades ready definition. Furthermore, although the problem of identity within Northern Ireland has generated a vast amount of literature, much of this is subjective, contradictory and confusing. The aim of this talk is to propose a way of looking objectively at the notion of identity and, if possible, to draw some general conclusions from the Northern Irish experience. The fundamental premise is that if identity carries meaning, then it must possess some sort of structure. Applying the principles and concepts of linguistic analysis, this paper suggests that identity is a cognitive code, similar in structure to other codes such as natural language. A model is proposed by which the notion of identity may then be identified, quantified and analysed. The suggestion is that if identity is indeed a semiotic code, we should be able to examine it from the point of view of structural analysis. While the paper focuses in particular on identity within the context of Northern Ireland, the hope is that the principles and methodological framework which are outlined may have more general applicability.
    LanguageEnglish
    Pages35-48
    JournalCultural Identities and National Borders
    Volume1
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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    Paradigm
    Northern Ireland
    Social Sciences
    Human Sciences
    Structural Analysis
    Natural Language
    Fundamental
    Contradictory
    Linguistic Analysis

    Cite this

    Ó Corráin, Ailbhe. / Identity as a Cognitive Code: The Northern Irish Paradigm. In: Cultural Identities and National Borders. 2009 ; Vol. 1. pp. 35-48.
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    Ó Corráin, A 2009, 'Identity as a Cognitive Code: The Northern Irish Paradigm', Cultural Identities and National Borders, vol. 1, pp. 35-48.

    Identity as a Cognitive Code: The Northern Irish Paradigm. / Ó Corráin, Ailbhe.

    In: Cultural Identities and National Borders, Vol. 1, 2009, p. 35-48.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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    Ó Corráin A. Identity as a Cognitive Code: The Northern Irish Paradigm. Cultural Identities and National Borders. 2009;1:35-48.