Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusion
The specific interest of the analogies established between concepts from
previously largely unconnected areas for full-text retrieval—Saussurean
linguistics and information theory—lies in their distinctive possible con-
tributions. Saussurean linguistics can give a basis for understanding and
modeling the semantic effects of interactions between syntagma and para-
digm, and the transformations of the signified or meaning in indexing,
searching, and retrieval. Information theory gave insight into syntax or
patterns, including a computationally implementable definition of the
word and multiword sequence.
For the labor theoretic approach, we provided a basis for understand-
ing the effects of the current transformation of selection labor toward
searching. Emphasis on the material basis of communication, fundamen-
tal to the approach, has been sustained. The next chapter will theorize
more fully the partly experientially and inductively acquired understand-
ings of patterns of retrieval (given for the opening examples in chapter 4).
The value of theory resides in the additional understanding it offers.
