In the structuralist methodology, these differences may be uncovered through a Commutation Test. Taking as a premise the conjecture that distinctive differences on one level will show up as a corresponding difference on the other level, the commutation test is simply a substitution test in which parts of the element are substituted with something else. If the substitution causes a change on the other level, then a significant difference has been found.
The following is an example from Andersen (1990). In English, the *ng* and *n* sounds make a significant difference (commute) on the content level in "sing" versus "sin," but not in the word *in(g)cline*.
The commutation test is a methodical consequence of the view that neither content nor expression elements are regarded to have substantial existence but only exist as differences. Another consequence is that the constituting differences are immanent in the system, isolating the signs from the world.
Ricœur argued that structuralism cannot by itself explain texts and language use, because the situatedness of any language use contributes to the production of meaning.
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DOT FROM lambda-browsing