In the theory of Jacques Lacan, demand (French: demande) represents the way instinctive needs are inevitably alienated through the effects of language on the human condition.[1] The concept of demand was developed by Lacan in parallel to those of need and desire to account for the role of speech on human aspirations.[2] Demand forms part of Lacan's battle against the approach to language acquisition favored by ego psychology, and makes use of Kojeve's theory of desire.[3] Demand is not a Freudian concept.[2]