Ideology, Productive Powers and Signification Processes: the Word Selfie as an Ideological Sign

■ ABSTRACT: Based on the assumption that the foundations of the linguistic theory of the Bakhtin Circle (which results from the combination of Voloshinov, Medvedev and Bakhtin works) are constructed in dialogue with theoretical traditions among which Marxism plays an important role, this paper discusses aspects related to the way the understanding of this group about the status of relations between infrastructure and superstructure is linked to the concept of ideological sign. Considering that and using mainly the notions of reflection and refraction, the paper focuses on the word selfie, trying to analyze it as a sign in which ideas, meanings and values are condensed, associated with reorganization processes of the productive forces in the contemporary world and, in this line of reasoning, the paper proposes the conclusion that this word, illustrating exemplary propositions of the Circle about the linkages between the socio-economic life and the prevailing ideas in society, can be seen as a territory of signs in which fundamental features of the contemporary society are reflected and refracted.