EPC Exhibit 131-21.1
April 17, 2009
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Dewey Section
To:
Caroline Kent, Chair
Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee
Cc:
Members of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee
Karl E. Debus-López, Chief, U.S. General Division
From:
Rebecca Green, Assistant Editor
Dewey Decimal Classification
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Via:
Joan S. Mitchell, Editor in Chief
Dewey Decimal Classification
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Re:
Semiotics: 401.4 and T1—014
Everything is connected: the investigation of the “subject or discipline” issue brought the note at
401.41 on classing a semiotic study of a specific subject with the subject to our attention, which
in turn focused our attention on the treatment of semiotics in the 400s and on the use of Table 1
notation —014 and its subdivisions throughout the schedules.
Semiotics is a general science of signs, encompassing not only all of language/linguistics, but
also other signs and sign-based studies; these include maps, road signs, computer icons,
emoticons, hand signals, music notation, and the visual arts, among many others. The scope of
semiotics as a whole mirrors the scope of communication, with semiotics encompassing the
branches of semantics, syntactics, and pragmatics (all to be understood broadly, that is, not
restricted to the context of language/linguistics).
In DDC 22, the interdisciplinary number for semiotics is 302.2 Communication, which is also
the number for interdisciplinary works on communication—all appropriate. However, the
treatment of semiotics within the 400s is considerably less satisfactory. Semiotics is given as a
class-here concept at 401.41 Discourse analysis (discourse analysis being the branch of study in
which linguistic analysis, traditionally restricted to the level of words, phrases, and sentences, is
expanded to larger structures / to the level of discourse). A see reference from 401.41 to 401.43
for semantics is presumably based on the status of 401.41 as the implicit comprehensive number
for semiotics within linguistics and the standing of semantics as a branch of semiotics (but
semantics as a branch of semiotics is broader than / not the same as 401.43 Semantics). Both the
association of semiotics with discourse analysis and the see reference from 401.41 Discourse
analysis to 401.43 Semantics are very odd.
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Here we show the DDC 22 entry for 401.41 from the EPC Exhibit 130-23 PDF (expanded to
include a scatter class-elsewhere note for discourse analysis of specific subjects):
401.41
Discourse analysis
Including pragmatics in discourse analysis
Class here content analysis, semiotics
Class interdisciplinary works on semiotics in 302.2; class interdisciplinary
works on pragmatics in 401.45. Class discourse analysis of a specific subject
with the subject, plus notation 014 from Table 1, e.g., discourse analysis of
science 501.4; class a semiotic study of a specific subject with the subject, plus
notation 014 from Table 1, e.g., a semiotic study of science 501.4
For semantics, see 401.43
See also 121.68 for semiotics as a topic in philosophy
To understand the current state of this entry, it will be instructive for us to examine the recent
development of T1—014 and 401.4, which have undergone seemingly continuous revision over
the past several editions. Table 1 summarizes these changes.
Of particular interest to us is the transformation of T1—0141 Communication in Edition 19 into
401.41 Semiotics in Editions 20 and 21 and into 401.41 Discourse analysis in Edition 22,
paralleled by the discontinuation of T1—0141 Communication to T1—014 Language and
communication in Edition 20.
When T1—0141 Communication was discontinued to T1—014, it is unfortunate that semiotics
slipped into its place in the context of 401.41, since the breadth of semiotics is of the same
magnitude as the breadth of communication. Semiotics / semiotic analysis should have been
introduced into the standard subdivisions as a class-here concept at T1—014, not as a standingroom concept. A similar case can be made for content analysis, a methodology for studying
content across different types of communication. Our proposal is to move content analysis and
semiotics from the including note at T1—014 to its class-here note; as a parallel change, we
propose to discontinue content analysis and semiotics from 401.41 to 401.4 (and delete the see
reference to 401.43, as well as the mention of semiotics in the Manual note at 401 vs. 121.68,
149.94, 410.1). (At the same time, we substitute a more appropriate example for the scatter
class-elsewhere note for semiotic studies [the initial focus of our attention]; the breadth of
semiotics makes the semiotic study of a discipline of overwhelming magnitude.) The changes
would also be propagated to other relevant sections of the tables and schedules.
Given the interconnectedness of language, communication, and semiotics, it is also fitting that
we take advantage of this opportunity to examine two other questions. Is Language and
communication the best caption at T1—014? (Actually, Joan Mitchell’s original question with
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reference to the caption was, “What’s and doing here?”) Relatedly, what is the relationship
between T1—014 and 302.2 Communication?
In Edition 16, the caption at T1—014 was Terminology; its including note referred to
nomenclature, etymology, and systems of scientific and popular terms; it had two subdivisions,
systems of notation (including symbols, abbreviations), and techniques of writing. In Edition 17,
the caption changed to Linguistic aspects; T1—014 had three subdivisions: etymology,
abbreviations and symbols, and (optionally) techniques of writing. With Edition 18, the caption
changed again, this time to Languages (Terminology) and communication, with one subdivision
for communication and four subdivisions under a centered entry for languages (including an
expansion for [the oxymoronic] nonlinguistic language). The modifications thereafter can be
seen in the chart that constitutes Table 1. What we see is a steady progression in the meaning of
T1—014. Originally set forth to represent individual languages, it came to represent language as
a general phenomenon. Given that interpretation, and adding to it “nonlinguistic language,” the
meaning of the class gradually broadened to communication in general, with language its most
common medium. (Of related interest: It was not until Edition 20 that nonverbal
communication was recognized as a subdivision under 302.2 Communication.) In Edition 22,
only one subdivision remains, T1—0148 Abbreviations and symbols, which involves both verbal
and nonverbal communication. By this time, T1—014 has become the standard subdivision
counterpart of 302.2 (and 400; note the see reference from 302.224 Verbal communication to
400 Language). Thus, the and in Language and communication represents the union
interpretation of the word and not the intersection interpretation of the word. Perhaps the
meaning of T1—014 would be clearest if the caption named only communication, with language
added to the class here note. Corresponding changes are required in entries for numbers built
with T1—014 (and its subdivisions), i.e., T4—014, 200[.14], 210.14, 320.014, 370.14, 401.4,
780.14, 910.014, 913-919:0014, 929.97014 (and their subdivisions). (A change at T1—0148
and its ripple effects throughout the schedule are also shown.)
(Parenthetically: We have also considered whether 302.224 Verbal communication is the right
place for the see reference to 400. What about sign language? We first note that 302.222
Nonverbal communication mentions sign language only in the context of a class-elsewhere note.
Next we note that 302.244 Verbal communication has two subclasses, one for oral
communication and one for written communication. The verbal in the caption therefore has the
more general meaning of relating to words, not the more specific meaning of relating to spoken
language. As sign language is a word-based means of communication, it corresponds to 302.224
Verbal communication, just as spoken languages do. The see reference is correctly placed.)
What is the impact of the proposed changes on Table 4 and the 400s? Deleting mention of
language from the captions at T4—014 and 401.4 would have the salutary effect of avoiding
having a subclass of Table 4. Subdivisions of Individual Languages and Language Families and
of 400 Language whose caption suggests it is coextensive with (or even broader than) the
superordinate class. But this only masks the real problem: Given the see reference from 302.224
to 400, if T1—014 corresponds to 302.2, 400 is both superordinate and subordinate to 401.4.
Practically speaking, the meaning of standard subdivision 014 is significantly narrowed in the
context of 401.4 and of T4—014. (Aside: The entire structure under 401.4 is less than optimal
and needs to be revisited [and probably thoroughly overhauled] in the next editorial cycle.)
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Edition 19
[401.4 not explicitly listed]
Edition 20
401.4 Language (Terminology)
and communication
401.41 Semiotics
Former heading:
Communication
Class here content
analysis, discourse
analysis
For semantics, see
401.43
401[.42] Etymology
Do not use; class in 412
401.43 Semantics [formerly
412]
401[.48] Abbreviations and
symbols
Do not use for . . .; class
. . . in 411 . . .; class in
413.1
Edition 21
401.4 Language and
communication
401.41 Semiotics
Class here content
analysis, discourse
analysis
For semantics, see
401.43
Edition 22
401.4 Language and
communication
401.41 Discourse analysis
Class here content
analysis, semiotics
For semantics, see
401.43
401[.42] Etymology
Do not use; class in 412
401.43 Semantics
401[.42] Etymology
Do not use; class in 412
401.43 Semantics
401[.48] Abbreviations and
symbols
Do not use for . . .; class
. . . in 411 . . .; class in
413.1
401[.48] Abbreviations and
symbols
Do not use for . . .; class
. . . in 411 . . .; class in
413.1
Table 1. Excerpts from 401.4 from Editions 19-22
4
1—014
Communication Language and communication
Including content analysis, semiotics; etymology; pronunciation, spelling
Class here language, terminology; content analysis, semiotics
Class subject headings and thesauri in information retrieval in
025.49001–025.49999; class interdisciplinary works on communication,
content analysis, semiotics in 302.2; class interdisciplinary works on language
in 400; class interdisciplinary works on terminology in 401.4; class
interdisciplinary works on etymology in 412. Class aspects of linguistics not
provided for here with the aspect in 400, e.g., translating 418.02; class readers
for nonnative speakers of a specific language intended to instill a knowledge of
the special vocabulary of that language for a specific subject or discipline with
the language in 400, plus notation 864 from Table 4, e.g., engineering readers
(in a language other than Spanish) for Spanish-speaking people —8646102462,
English-language engineering readers for Spanish-speaking people
428.646102462
For dictionaries, see —03
1—014 1
Discourse analysis
Class here content analysis, semiotics
Use of this number for content analysis, semiotics discontinued; class in
—014
Class discourse analysis of a specific subject with the subject, plus notation
014 from Table 1, e.g., discourse analysis of science 501.4
1—014 8
Abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols
Symbols classed here are limited to conventional or standard signs such
as those used in mathematics, chemistry, flow charts, circuit diagrams,
maps, road signs
Including acronym dictionaries of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols
Class interdisciplinary works on symbols in 302.2223; class
interdisciplinary works on abbreviations and acronyms in 411; class
interdisciplinary dictionaries of abbreviations and acronyms in 413.1
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1—03
Dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances
Including thesauri (synonym dictionaries)
Class acronym dictionaries of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols in —0148;
class biographical dictionaries in —0922; class interdisciplinary encyclopedias
in 030; class interdisciplinary dictionaries in 413
See also 025.49 for thesauri (controlled vocabularies)
4—014
Communication Language and communication
Class here language, lexicology, terminology, content analysis, semiotics
For dictionaries, see —3; for lexicography, see —3028; for discursive
works on terminology intended to teach vocabulary, see —81; for spelling
and pronunciation in applied linguistics, see —813. For terminology
(including pronunciation and spelling) of a specific subject or discipline,
see the subject or discipline, plus notation 014 from Table 1, e.g.,
terminology of accounting 657.014
See Manual at T4—3 vs. T4—81
4—014 1
Discourse analysis
Class here content analysis, semiotics
Use of this number for content analysis, semiotics discontinued; class in
—014
Class discourse analysis of a specific subject with the subject, plus notation
014 from Table 1, e.g., discourse analysis of science 501.4
For semantics, see —0143
4—[014 8]
Abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols
Do not use for abbreviations and symbols as part of writing systems; class in
—11. Do not use for dictionaries of symbols; class in —31. Do not use for
dictionaries of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols; class in —315
4—315
Dictionaries of abbreviations, and acronyms, symbols
Standard subdivisions are added for any or all either or both topics in heading
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121.68
Meaning, interpretation, hermeneutics
Including reference, semantics, semiotics
Class here philosophy of language
Class interdisciplinary works on semiotics in 302.2
See also 149.94 for general semantics as a school of linguistic philosophy;
also 401.4 401.41 for semiotics in linguistics; also 401.43 for semantics in
linguistics
See Manual at 401 vs. 121.68, 149.94, 410.1
302.2
Communication
Including failures and disruptions of communication
Class here interdisciplinary works on communication, content analysis, semiotics
For information theory, see 003.54; for censorship, see 303.376. For the
semiotics of a specific discipline or subject, see the discipline or subject plus
notation 014 from Table 1, e.g., semiotics of science 501.4 a semiotic study of
feminism 305.42014
320.014
Communication Language and communication
Class here language; political persuasion and political propaganda
Class interdisciplinary works on persuasion in 303.342; class
interdisciplinary works on propaganda in 303.375
370.14
Communication Language and communication
Class here language
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401.4
Communication Language and communication
Class here language, content analysis, semiotics; lexicology, interdisciplinary
works on terminology
Class interdisciplinary works on communication, content analysis, semiotics in
302.2. Class a semiotic study of a specific subject with the subject, plus notation
—014 from Table 1, e.g., a semiotic study of feminism 305.42014
For dictionaries of linguistics, see 410.3; for general polyglot dictionaries, see
413; for lexicography, see 413.028; for applied linguistics treatment of
terminology, see 418. For terminology of a specific subject or discipline, see
the subject or discipline, plus notation 014 from Table 1, e.g., terminology of
linguistics 410.14, terminology of engineering 620.0014
See also 121.68 for semiotics as a topic in philosophy
401.41
Discourse analysis
Including pragmatics in discourse analysis
Class here content analysis, semiotics
Use of this number for content analysis, semiotics discontinued; class in 401.4
Class interdisciplinary works on semiotics in 302.2; class interdisciplinary
works on pragmatics in 401.45. Class discourse analysis of a specific subject
with the subject, plus notation 014 from Table 1, e.g., discourse analysis of
science 501.4; class a semiotic study of a specific subject with the subject, plus
notation 014 from Table 1, e.g., a semiotic study of science 501.4
For semantics, see 401.43
See also 121.68 for semiotics as a topic in philosophy
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410
Linguistics
Class here descriptive, synchronic linguistics; comprehensive works on Eurasiatic
languages, on Indo-European languages, on Indo-Germanic languages, on
Indo-Hittite languages
Class linguistics of specific languages in 419–490
For sociolinguistics, see 306.44; for lexicology, semiotics, see 401.4; for
semiotics, see 401.41; for specific Indo-European languages, see 420–491
See Manual at 410
(Option A: To give local emphasis and a shorter number to a specific language,
e.g., Russian, class it here and add to base number 41 as instructed under
420–490; in that case class linguistics in 400, its subdivisions in 401–409,
standard subdivisions of language and of linguistics in 400.1–400.9. Option B is
described under 420–490)
535.019
Philosophy and theory of light and infrared and ultraviolet phenomena
Add to base number 535.019 the numbers following —01 in notation 011–
019 from Table 1, e.g., abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols in optics
535.01948
Class theories in 535.1
780.14
Communication Languages and communication
Class here language
780.148
Musical notation, abbreviations, acronyms, symbols
Including staff notation, neumes, tablature, tonic sol-fa; braille musical
notation
Class transcription from one form of notation to another in 780.149
910[.014
*‡
Communication Language and communication
Class here language; discourses on place names and their origin, history,
meaning
Class dictionaries and gazetteers of place names in 910.3
912.014 8
Map scales, symbols, abbreviations, acronyms
9
913–919 Geography of and travel in ancient world and specific continents, countries, localities
in modern world; extraterrestrial worlds
Class here comprehensive works on ancient and modern geography of and travel in
specific continents, countries, localities
Add to base number 91 notation 3–9 from Table 2, e.g., geography of England 914.2,
of Norfolk, England 914.261; then add further as follows:
001 Philosophy and theory
0014
Communication Language and communication
Class here language; discursive works on place names and their
origin, history, and meaning
Class dictionaries and gazetteers of place names in 003
...
...
929.970 14
Communication Language and communication
Do not use for etymology; class in 412
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401 vs. 121.68, 149.94, 410.1
Philosophy and theory of language vs. Meaning, interpretation,
hermeneutics in philosophy vs. Linguistic philosophies vs. Philosophy and
theory of linguistics
Use 401 for works by philologists studying language, literature, and various
other cultural is sues, but with an emphasis on language, and for works where phi lologists with broader concerns than linguists reflect on their discipline and its
methods. Use 401 also for broad works on the philosophy and theory of language
and languages written by linguists and philologists.
Use 401.41 Semiotics or 401.43 Semantics for works in which linguists study semantics
and semiotics to answer traditional questions about natural languages, often in relation to
other topics in linguistic theory, such as grammar, lexicology, phonology. Use 410.1 for
works in which linguists reflect on their discipline and its methods. (See also discussion at
401.43 vs. 306.44, 401.9, 412, 415.)
Philosophy of language
Use 149.94 for "linguistic philosophies"—view points or schools of philosophy that put
study of language at the center and use linguistic methods to study multiple questions in
philosophy, such as metaphysics, aesthetics, logic, or ethics. Use 121.68 for philosophical
writing on language investigating traditional concerns of epistemology (theory of
knowledge), for example, truth and how truth can be determined.
If in doubt, prefer in the following order: 401, 410.1, 149.94, 121.68.
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