LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 21:10 October 2021
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Liminality: A Close Study of Historical Roots and
Theoretical Structure

Shalini Rana and Dr Digvijay Pandya

Abstract

Liminality is an interesting but neglected theory. It helps us in understanding the mental process during a lethal condition like life threatening disease. The present study is an attempt to revisit and explore the wider implications of liminality. The main contributors in this field were Arnold Van Gennep and Victor Turner. Voluminous research has been produced on the basis of theory of liminality. Liminality is applied in the management studies, in Mathematics, in research process, in teaching and even in glass making. In psychology, social sciences, folk studies, in academia, in understanding the condition of the Diaspora, the refugees, the migrants, the immigrants, in terms of buildings, landscapes, modern life, pregnancy, adulthood, even in bungee jumping and adventure sports, etc., liminality has added a new lease of understanding. Liminality has played a pivotal role in understanding the phases of development of a society

Keywords: Liminality, in-betweeness, pre-liminal, limen, post-liminality, Arnold Van Gennep, Victor Turner

Introduction

The term, ‘Liminality,’ was first used in Anthropology. It’s a noun and it means the transitional period or phase of a rite of passage and during this period the participant lacks social status or rank, remains anonymous, shows obedience and humility, and follows prescribed forms of conduct, dress etc. This term was first used by Arnold Van Gennep to describe the in-between condition of human beings based on his study of various tribes. Turner had taken the theory of liminality to great heights. He called it the “betwixt and in-between,” (Turner, 138) space. The pioneer in this field was Arnold Van Gennep. His seminal work Rites of Passage (1909) brought a new wave of thought. Van Gennep observed that life is full of liminal changes. He was primarily an anthropologist. He observed the lifestyle of various tribes in France very closely. He studied the different ceremonies performed by the tribes and concluded that the purpose of these ceremonies was to make an individual pass through one stage to another clearly defined stage. He laid emphasis on the importance of the entire process during rituals.

Van Gennep also included in his theory the importance of passing through the territorial passage that is from one physical sacred space to another. He also revealed that, “upon this passing, there was a middle neutral zone between the sacred spaces.” (Paul, 24) He also divided the entire process into three stages viz. Rites of Separation, Rites of Transitional Stage and Rites of Incorporation. In simpler terms these stages are now called as Pre-Liminal, Liminal and Post- Liminal Stages. He was more curious about the middle stage that is the liminal stage. Gennep pointed out that the rituals that are performed during the liminal state, or threshold, make the participants feel that they are in in-between spaces and identities. In this phase, the participant didn’t belong to his/her past condition nor was he in a positive future condition.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Shalini Rana
Research Scholar, Arts and Languages, LPU, Jalandhar, India
shalinirana32@gmail.com

Dr Digvijay Pandya
Associate Professor, Arts and Languages, LPU, Jalandhar, India
digvijay.24354@lpu.co.in
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