Missing links in the rhetoric of Activity Theory

This commentary on Victor González’s proposal to introduce the notion of working spheres/engagements in the traditional activity hierarchy adopts a semiotic perspective. It suggests that the benefit of the proposed introduction is rhetorical rather than strictly conceptual. Thus, the commentary focuses on the importance of distinguishing between models (or descriptions) of activities and of “discourse about” activities. It also illustrates some kinds of questions that might be asked and answered by virtue of such a distinction.