ABSTRACT
Ultimately, it is the question of language which separates the theories of Bakhtin and Lotman from so many other contemporary theories. While it may not be possible to prove that hypothesis logically or empirically, I believe I have demonstrated above that it does have considerable validity. Having thus set off Bakhtin and Lotman from competing trends, I would now like to highlight certain significant aspects of their theories which underlie important areas of similarity and compatibility. The thrust of this selective comparison and attendant analysis will be towards the contention that literature, seen as markedly distinct from the sphere of action of natural language, is for both Balch tin and Lotman primarily characterized by its communicative and cognitive nature.
