Identidades. Un acercamiento desde la semiótica de la cultura

In: Atlántida: revista canaria de ciencias sociales, Issue 15, p. 69-88

Abstract

The text examines the concept of identity from the semiotics of culture. Identity is not an immutable set of traits but is formed through constantly evolving semiotic processes. The territory and the geographical environment influence the configuration of the identity of individuals and communities. The temporal dimension is addressed through the idea of «explosion» in Lotman's semiotic theory, which represents ruptures in the historical flow and unpredictability of history. The role of emotions that are culturally conditioned is highlighted. Cultural differences affect their expression. Individual and collective identities are interconnected. Individual consciousness is formed through external elements that we assume as our own. Finally, a «citizen identity» is advocated that transcends national and ethnic borders in a globalized world and that promotes integration and diversity in an interdependent global context.