Saussure

Ferdinand de Saussure-Bio
Born 26 November 1857
(French origin, moved to Geneva)
From a family of many scholars
Studied Latin, Greek, chemistry, theology and
law at University of Geneva (1875-76)
At age 21, wrote Mémoire sur le système
primitif des voyelle dans les langues indo-
européennes in which he proved scholars
wrong.

1880 awarded doctorate at University Leipzig
(Germany).
Taught at Paris.
1891 returned to Geneva to teach there.
Taught ancient Sanskrit for 21 (!) years!
Was asked to teach a course in General Linguistics
(taught it three times 1907 - 11)

Influenced many different linguists, but
also other disciplines:
Anthropology
Psychiatry
Literary criticism

Ferdinand de Saussure
-Linguistics / Key Terms
Linguistics
Analysis of language
Semiology:
The “Science of the life of signs within the heart of
social life” (Saussure)

What is language: Knowledge
Collective knowledge vs individual use
Distinction between LANGUE vs PAROLE

LANGUE IS COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE
PAROLE IS INDIVIDUAL KNOWLEDGE
LANGUE SHOULD BE THE TARGET NOT PAROLE
LANGUE CONSISTS OF RULES
CHILD LEARNS THE RULES NOT THE STRUCTURE

Aspects of Language
Language
Langue Parole
Language Language Performance

Langue
The following rules & conventions constitute langue:
The combination of Sounds & Pronunciation
(Phonetic, Phonology)
Formation of Words (Morphology)
Construction of Sentences (Syntax)
Contextual Meanings (Pragmatics)
Words Relationship (Semantics)

Grammatical System
To Saussure:
Language is a grammatical system
That exists in the brains of a group of individuals
In the form of word-image & knowledge of conventions
Language exists perfectly
within a society/ collectivity
Not in any individual speaker

Product of Social Agreement
There is a similarity of:
Sounds
Words
Meaning
among the native speakers of a language
They have the same images and signs in their minds
The social bond constitutes language

•Parole belongs to the individual
•It is the concrete physical manifestation
• of the abstract langue
•That exist in mind
•An individual makes use of this knowledge
•To produce actual sentence i.e. parole

Langue vs. Parole
Langue is Social
A set of conventions & rules
Shared by all the speakers
of a language
Parole is Individual
• Individual performance of
language
In speech or writing

Langue vs. Parole
Langue is Abstract
These conventions exist in
the minds of the speakers
Who belong to that
society
That has created the
language
Parole is Concrete
• It is physical, makes use of
the physiological
mechanism:
Speech organs
In uttering words and
sentences

Langue vs. Parole
Underlying system
Which makes the individual
performance (parole)
meaningful
If we hear unknown language
We can’t understand
As we do not share the langue
Performance
• Sound and sentence
Parole cant be a mean of
communication &
understood without langue

Langue vs. Parole
Language System
 Consist of stable:
Conventions
Rules
Codes
Language Behaviour
• Production of sentences :
Unpredictable
Heterogeneous
Whimsical (capricious)
Variable

Langue vs. Parole
Legislative side of
Language
 Like law langue is
relatively fixed
It does not change with
each individual
 Langue maintains:
The social order
Homogeneity of the
language
Executive side of Language
• It uses the law or code the
language
• It executes langue
through Individual acts of
speaking and writing

Langue vs. Parole
Language can be studied
 It is well defined
 Homogenous object
 It is in form of written
symbols
So, it can be studied
Parole can not be studied
• Unpredictable mass of
speech act
• It cannot be accurately
represented
• It is heterogeneous
So variable that cannot be
studied

Unreal Dichotomies
Langue and Parole are interrelated not separate
Speech has both an individual & social side
We cannot conceive of one without the other
Parole is not possible or effective without Langue
Langue also changes gradually under the effect of parole

Parole has Social Aspect
It is concerned with the language use in social situation
Has some systematic & predictable features in social
situations
It has effect on langue
Gives a useful insight into language process
Can obtain the data ,gives better understanding of langue
It is now easy to study through recording
Audio, video devices

Language is a system not structure
Language is a form not matter
SYSTEM VS STRUCTURE

Language
Structured System of Systems
Elements are inter-related A System
(At each level of its structure)
Phonological Morphological Syntactic
Sounds words word-classes
Elements of sounds/words/class are inter-related

Structure
An ordered composition of many elements/parts
Each part being related to the whole
Also related to other elements within it
Inter-relationship of elements constitute SYSTEM
Within each system, elements are selected & combined
to build up structure

The Phonological System: Word Structure
To build up a word such as “TAKE”
1. We will select some sounds
Out of several possible sounds
1. We combine them in a particular order
decide which one is to occur 1st
, which later

Structure: Process of Selection
Certain rules operate:
We can select only one element from a class of similar
elements
A particular consonant from same class
A noun from a class of nouns
/k/ /b/ /t/ all are consonants

Structure: Process of
Combination
Certain rules operate:
We combine the chosen elements in a particular order
We can combine:
 /t/ + /eI/ + /k/ but not /eI/ + /t/
These elements are combined in a particular sequence

Language Structure : Orchestra
The member of an orchestra are all
related to each other as a whole
By their specific roles
Smaller groups (violinists, bass
player) perform their function in
relation to other
Players cannot be added or taken
away without changing its quality

Structure Constitute System
Structure: an order composition of many parts
Order
Composition of
many parts
Brass
Wood
winds
Violin
Harp
Sprin
gs
Cello
Piano
Drum
Flute

Elements’ Relationships
Relationship
Paradigmatic Syntagmatic

Paradigmatic Relationship
The relationship between those elements which are similar as
belong to same class/category is PR
Which holds between several elements of same class within
a system
Elements can be replaced by another elements within the same
system and class
The phonological system The syntactic system
The relationship between The relationship
Plosive Consonants between nouns

Syntagmatic Relationship
The particular sequence between elements is syntagmatic
relationship
In syntagmatic relationship, the elements have to be
combined in the proper sequence
We cannot violate the sequential order

Significance of these
Relationships
These relationships are like two intersecting threads
That build up the fabric of language
On the basis of these relationships, the rules of selection
& combination operate and constitutes the structure of a
language
Language has duality of structure
Selection of elements at one level
Combination of these elements at another level
To form a structure unit
Limited number of elements can construct large number
of combinations

Variation & Flexibility
Both selection (paradigmatic) & combination
(syntagmatic) processes unable us to construct different
sentences

TO SUM UPTO SUM UP
System Set of Paradigmatic R (in elements)
Structure set of Syntagmatic R (each level)
Phonological System Phonological Structure
Vowels/ ConsonantsCombination of it
Syntactic System Syntactic Structure
Word-classes Combination of it
Sound Level
Sentence Formation

Language Quality
Language Quality
Substance Form
Raw Material Particular Order
Meaningless Meaningful

Substance
Phonic Graphic
Phonemes Morphemes Graphemes
sounds letters alphabets
/k/ /b/ /t/ -tion, -able, -co. A, d, c, h

Form
All distinct sounds &written scripts are the substance
of a language
It is meaningless (only noisy)
Required some form to become meaningful
When sounds, letters, words are arranged in a certain
way i.e.
We can see some meaning in them
It becomes form of a language
It is just like a shapeless log of wood
The carpenter makes a chair / table out of it
He changes substance into form

Saussure’s Term
Language Quality
Substance Form
Signifier Signified
Mere sound/words Meaningful/ Concept

Specific Arrangement makes
Form
Sounds when arranged in particular order
Signify something meaningful
Words when arranged in a particular order
Express some meaningful idea/action
The arrangement itself gives form to the substance of the
language

Levels of Form
Form
Expression Content
Shape/form of Elements Level of Meanings
Regardless of Meanings Grammar &
Semantics
The bachelor gave birth to a baby

Linguistic Study
To sum up we say:
Substance is element/ raw material of language
Form is the associative order
In which elements are brought together in a meaningful way
So, form is the concern of linguistic study, not substance
Form makes it study substance

Linguistic SignIt is a physical marker –carries some
information
Direct
Brief
Precise (only this not other)

Parts of Sign
The linguistic sign is consist of two parts:
Sign
The signifier The signified
The word The concept
which signifies The object

Word Represents Concept
Word does not represents the actual object in real life
But the concept/image of the object we have in our minds
If the word tree represents the real object (tree)
The word for this object in all languages would have been
the same
We see an object and form a concept of it in our minds

Word/Concept Relationship
We invent a word consisting of some sound-images
That represents the concept exists in mind
The relationship between the sounds/words and the
concept they signify
An arbitrary
No logical reason why we choose a certain word
To represent the concept
Since signs are arbitrary
They differ from language to language
Every society constructs its own concepts of the real world
Links these concepts to certain signifiers & signified
(chosen arbitrarily)

Validity of SignThis relationship once establish as social fact
Continues over a long period of time
Social agreement gives it validity

Relational Entity
Signs are the relational entities
Exist in terms of complex relationships to each other
Signs make up the whole system of a language

Symbol
A kind of sign that signifies several concepts
on the basis of the primary relationship of signifier/signified
Thus the word “tree” signifies concept of tree
(primary relationship) may also signify:
Life, growth etc becomes not only sign but also symbol
Symbol means more information e.g. waving one’s
hand
Symbolic of farewell
Dismissal etc.

What does this system consist of?
Signs
So language is a system of signs

Sign:
combination of a concept and a sound-image
Signifier:
the sound-image
Signified:
concept

What does all this mess mean?
An Example of Saussure’s words
Signifier I Signified I
(Image) (Concept)
(Roses) (Passion)
Sign I
(passionified roses)

What does all this mess mean?
An Example of Saussure’s words
Signifier II Signified II
(Image) (Concept)
(Passionified Roses) (Valentine’s Day)
(i.e. Sign becomes
new Signifier)
Sign II
(Product consumption, expenditure
of money as romantic obligation) ...

Ferdinand de Saussure-Linguistics
Arbitrary Nature of the Sign
We have inherited language from our ancestors.
 Language is connecting sound-images

Arbitrary Nature of the Sign (2)
Boundaries become blurred when we look at
different types of “language” (e.g. body
language, pantomime, spoken language, written
language, deaf-mute language, sign language
etc.)

The Linear Nature of the Signifier
Signifier = sound-image
it is measurable only in terms of time.
Sounds are “Schall und Rauch” (“sound and
smoke”)
Problem: when writing down the “sound-
image” the sound component gets lost.

Immutability of the Sign
The signifier (sound-image) “is fixed, not free”
“community itself cannot control so much as a
single word; it is bound to the existing language.”
Problem: modern language has added many
different words (e.g. computers, “teen” language)

Immutability of the Sign (2)
Language is a law, not a rule which we can opt to
follow.
We inherit these laws from our ancestors.
Language is a social “institution” and must be seen
in the setting.
“Speakers are largely unconscious of the laws of
language.”

Immutability of the Sign (3)
(1) Arbitrary Nature of the Sign
(2) Multiplicity of Signs Needed for Language
(3) System is “overly complex”
(4) Community does not care to change things.
Tradition  follows no law  arbitrary

Mutability
Time changes the relationship between signi-fier
(sound-image), signified (concept) and therefore
the sign.
E.g. “mouse” =
= = “mouse”

Mutability (2)
Language = product of both social force and
time.
It holds true even for artificial languages, such
as Esperanto.

Because of the addition of time to the social context,
Saussure feels that there should be two branches of
linguistics, which he calls:
Synchronic
Diachronic

Language Study
Synchronic Diachronic (traces)
Chronos Historical development Records
Time Language Changes
Language at particular time in between
successive point
in time
(as a living whole/ state)

Synchronic Approach
This state of language is:
Accumulation of all the linguistic activities of language
community

Irrelevant time Factor
To study language linguists:
Collect samples of language as it exists
Describe it regardless of any historical considerations
Which may have influenced the language at any previous
time
Once linguists have isolated a focal point for synchronic
description
The time factor becomes irrelevant

Main Focus of Study
The system of language
 as it exists i.e.:
The system of inter-relationships
 that bind together co-existing items
 in the collective mind of the community

Diachronic Approach
Equivalent to historical:
It investigates language changes
 as they have occurred from time to time
The evolution of languages

Inter-relationship of Synchronic & DiachronicCD is synchronic axis (static)
All the facts of language co-exist at a
particular time
AB is diachronic axis of successions
AB is an imaginary line moving
through time
The historical path through which
language has travelled & will continue
travelling
CD can intersect AB at any point
because at any given time there will be
a number of facts about language co-
existing
X is the point on AB
where the particular point in time can
be isolated
 and the language can be described at
that point as it exists

Synchronic Approach is Prior
Saussure make this distinction
Gives priority in linguistics to the synchronic approach
He explained this priority by analogy with the game of
chess

Analogy of the Game of Chess
Chessboard constantly changes
with each move
During the game at any moment
a 3rd
person can understand the
state of game by looking at the
position of pieces
Regardless what kind of moves
& how many moves have been
made before arriving at this
stage
The game can be described
without reference to the earlier
moves

Game Rules
Which are determined
before the game
Continue to operate with
each move
Language Rules
Similarly rules exist in
language too

Value of Pieces
Depends on their position
on the chess board
Value of Linguistic Term
• Derives its value from its
opposition to all the other
terms

Changes in Game
To pass from one stage to
the next
Only one piece needs to
be moved at a time
Succession of moves can
change the outcome of the
game
Changes in Language
In language change effects
only isolated elements
Not the whole language
These changes ultimately do
result in changing the
language

In Short……
Synchronic
confined to one point of view in order to show the whole
language system
Diachronic
traces evolution of language, looking not at the whole
system but at individual elements of it at different times.

Langue = speech minus speaking
Language is a social construct which re-quires a
community of speakers.
Linguistic sign is arbitrary and cannot be taken out of
social or temporal context. This is exactly, where
signifier and signified are able to shift their
relationships (compare “mouse” and “mouse”).

Conclusion
Language can & should be described synchronically
On its own terms without reference to what it has
developed from or what it is likely to develop into
However, this does not mean that diachronic/historical
study cannot be done
To Saussure ,though the diachronic perspective is not
related to the language system
It does affect/condition the system

Saussure

More Related Content

What's hot

Viewers also liked

Similar to Saussure

Recently uploaded

Saussure