Communicational scepticism and the linguist

Abstract: The paper identifies two basic dangers threatening linguistic analyses of potential barriers to communication. With the famous controversy over the Kuhnian concept of normal science as an example of academic discourse at cross-purposes, the author shows how taking for granted either of the two dominant models of signification can result in a petitio principii or else lead to a frustrating fight against communicational scepticism. In conclusion, there is a suggestion of a possibly helpful theoretical reorientation of thinking about signification and communication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]