Order, order

This paper discuss the two orders of language as introduced by Nigel Love. Focussing on the methodological problem of their being presented as (at least in theory) distinct from one another, I argue that they would be better construed as classifications the analyst might use, as opposed to being presented as a distinction borne out when one looks at the world and language use within it. Using insights from Oliver Sacks' studies of autism, I argue that it is with autistic individuals that the greatest distinction between the orders can be found, and that where the interest is not pathological, it is in the integration of the two theoretical orders where we can find most fruitful ground for study.