Différance

Différance is a concept by philosopher Jacques Derrida that describes how meaning is always deferred and dependent on differences between words rather than fixed or inherent. It highlights that words gain meaning through their relationships with other words, not in isolation. This ongoing process means meaning is never completely stable or final; it continuously shifts as we interpret and re-interpret. Essentially, Différance captures how language is a dynamic, never-ending play of differences, emphasizing that understanding is always mediated by context, delay, and difference rather than any fixed point.