How does the play of differences between words shape meaning in Derrida’s philosophy?

In Jacques Derrida’s philosophy, the meaning of a word is not fixed or inherently present in the mind of a speaker; rather, it is generated through the "play" of differences between words. Building on the work of Ferdinand de Saussure, Derrida argued that because each word depends for its definition on its contrast with other related terms, meaning is never fully captured or finalized.12

To describe this process, Derrida coined the term différance, which captures two simultaneous actions:
* Difference: Meaning is established by the distinctive contrasts a word displays against other words.12
* Deferral: Because these contrasts lead to an infinitely long chain of further meanings, the ultimate meaning of any word is never fully "present" but is instead endlessly deferred.12

This "play" of differences is considered limitless and indefinite, suggesting that meaning is a product of the linguistic system itself rather than an original intention existing outside of language. By emphasizing this, Derrida challenged the "metaphysics of presence"—the traditional philosophical tendency to prioritize fixed origins or immediate truths—and instead highlighted the essential role of absence and difference in all systems of representation.12