This document discusses Ferdinand de Saussure's concepts of langue vs parole and the sign. It explains that for Saussure, language (langue) is the system of rules and conventions of a speech community, while speech (parole) is the individual realization of language in actual communication. The document also summarizes Saussure's concept of the linguistic sign as being composed of both a signifier (expression) and signified (concept), and notes two important postulates of his theory: the arbitrariness of the sign and linguistic value.

1. The Structure
LCD 105 – Class 2 – Professor
Nathacia

2. Saussure
Langue vs. Parole
Language ≠ Speech

3. Saussure

4. Saussure
PHYSIOLOGICAL
PROCESS
PHYSICAL PROCESS
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS

5. Saussure
PHYSIOLOGICAL
PROCESS
PHYSICAL PROCESS
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS

6. Saussure
Sign
Sign
1
Sign
2

7. Hjelmslev
Sign
Tradition: sign is a symbol for something;
representative. Content is exterior to the sign itself.
Ex: letters, numbers, words, expressions, icons,
gestures etc.
Modern Theory: sign is a whole thing composed by
Both expression and content.
Semiotic Function:
Sign (expression, content) = expression + content
Those terms are shapes, clips, of an undefined set
of sounds and of an undefined set of concepts
(amorphous bulk).

8. Saussure
Sign
Sign
1
Sign
2
Two important
postulates:
- Arbitrariness of sign
- Linguistic value

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12. (i) In what extent this language is diferente from animal
communication systems?
(Human) Language: three aspects
• Formal: Creativity; Generative (system designed to be fruitful)
• Biological: Genetics (FOXP2); language physiology (visual,
hearing, and vocal apparatuses, brain); exaptation;
• Psychological: Recursion; complexity; memory.

13. (Human) Language: three aspects
(i)What are the characteristics of (human) language?
(ii) In what extent this language is different from animal communication
systems?
(iii) How is it acquired?
(iv) How did it appeared in History?
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