Terministic Screens

Terministic Screens allow for the reader to identify different uses of language. Burke’s idea that “one must view language as a given” opened many doors for me. Trying to find the root and origin of language is futile. There will always be counters and arguments. The dividing it into the “scientific” and the “dramatistic” seems to limit the idea, but in reality it does not. Neither of these two ideas are exclusive, as Burke presents.

“We must use terministic screens, since we can’t say anything without the use of terms” (p. 50) shows the importance of terministic screens. Regardless how an individual views the work, it is always using terministic screens in speech, writing, etc. Terministic screens can deflect and resemble symbols, which is okay but there is a severe differentiating component. Symbols rely on terministic screens because through the terms, the screens are understood. I particularly like the idea that a terministic screen is a lens for viewing. This allows the reader to understand that through different terministic screens, there is a way to view different works.

Burke, Kenneth. “Terministic Screens.” In Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and 

Method. Berkeley: U of California P, 1966. 44-57.