We emphasize that such a form of communication is not absent in man, however evanescent a naturally given object may be for him, split as it is in its submission to symbols.

Jacques Lacan’s quote, "We emphasize that such a form of communication is not absent in man, however evanescent a naturally given object may be for him, split as it is in its submission to symbols," explores the nature of human communication and how it is shaped by symbols. Lacan suggests that communication, even when it involves something intangible or fleeting, is still an intrinsic part of being human. However, this communication is fragmented or split due to its dependence on symbols, which may distort or change the immediate experience of the object or idea being communicated.

The reference to “evanescent” objects highlights the impermanence or flickering nature of certain things in the world that are experienced and communicated by humans. Lacan argues that even though these objects might seem transient or elusive, communication about them still exists. However, this communication is altered by the process of transforming a direct, raw experience into a symbolic one, which can never fully capture the essence of the original object.

Lacan’s theory here points to the psychoanalytic understanding that human perception and communication are always mediated by language and symbols. As we attempt to convey meaning, we are always interpreting and filtering our experiences through cognitive and symbolic structures, which can never truly represent the object or idea in its original, unmediated form. This creates a split between the real and the symbolic, a key concept in Lacanian psychoanalysis.

Ultimately, Lacan’s quote suggests that while humans are capable of complex communication, the essence of what we try to communicate is always shaped and sometimes distorted by language and symbolism. These symbols, while essential to communication, are not perfect reflections of reality but are influenced by our subjective perceptions and societal constructs.