The Lacanian movement comprises the various followings of the innovative and dissident French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. Lacanianism began as a philosophical/linguistic re-interpretation of Freud's original teachings. How far it subsequently became an independent body of thought has been, and remains, a matter of debate — Lacan himself famously informing his followers, "It is up to you to be Lacanians if you wish. I am a Freudian".