Basic Directions of Development of the Symbolic Function

Symbolic function develops towards formation of semiotic systems that enable semiotic operations and the creation of complex semiotic activities. The book analyses the specific characteristics and functions of the iconic systems (drawing, mental images, oneiric images). The acquisition of the language system, which plays the greatest role in the development of all higher mental functions, was seen as an integral part of the symbolic function which greatest reach is not creation of complex syntactic structures as isolated computational systems but rather through relating to another psychic functions and the creation of new psychic instances. Language is first adopted as a social speech which serves for inter-individual communication; in the process of interiorization, then as internal (private) speech as talk to oneself, which enables the forms of thinking as self-knowledge, self-awareness and monitoring of one's own psychological processes. In such a perspective, the greatest sweep of language acquisition is the use of the language system for individual and subjective purposes. Complex processes of translation of internal speech into social speech and vice versa create the possibility of understanding subjective states of individuals. Analyzed are social and individual semiotic systems and their mutual relations.