For Adorno, language exists only insofar as subjective consciousnesses are free.

Evidence

It was clear here that more meaninglessness was not equivalent to a greater lack of reconciliation, that the meaning of the sentences or groups of words still had a decisive role to play. … For Adorno, language was not something that came over the subjective consciousness, but rather something which only existed to the extent that subjective consciousnesses were free. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 2253

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the specifically Adornian (as against Heideggerian) concept of language as freedom-dependent rather than something that overcomes subjectivity.
• XREF: connects to: Adorno’s theory denies audiences relative autonomy of consciousness; For Adorno, destroying reified language and submitting to another language coincide — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 2250; Adorno’s belief in self-determination left freedom something to be given, not seized — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 2490 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Adorno’s theory denies audiences relative autonomy of consciousness #complicates (0.85)
• Adorno declared belief that social existence determines consciousness. #contradicts (0.85) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 331
• For Adorno, destroying reified language and submitting to another language coincide #qualifies (0.80) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 2250
• Language creates consciousness of self as separate from the environment. #expands (0.80)
• Adorno’s belief in self-determination left freedom something to be given, not seized #complicates (0.75) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 2490