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Saussure - Course In General Linguistics (1916)

Intertextual Relevance

Relevance for Ethnographic Work

Immensely important for future scholars

  • Hall (1997)
  • Further point in Saussure's theory: meaning is created through difference (16)
  • Critique of Saussure's "scientific dream" (19)
  • Bordieu (1982)
  • Intellectualist philosophy
  • Language and power -> what matters is who can actually talk

Examples

  • The idea of arbitrariness against moralization in ethnographic work
  • Difference in signs: what makes a linguistic community
  • Focus on the relation between signifier and signified

-> what does one really mean?

Words changing meaning over time:

  • Wench
  • Guy
  • Nice
  • Silly
  • Awful

Bibliography:

Bordieu, P. (1991 (1982)). Language and Symbolic Power. Cambridge / Oxford: Polity Press.

Hall, S. (2003 (1997)). “Introduction” + “Chapter 1: The Work of Representation”. In S. Hall (Ed.), Representation. Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. London: SAGE Publications.

de Saussure, F. (1966 (1916)). Course in General Linguistics. New York / Toronto / London: Mc-Graw-Hill Book Company.

Ferdinand de Saussure

* 1857 in Geneva, + 1913 in Vufflens Castle

Is considered the founder of Structuralism

Course in General Linguistics is the transcript of his lecture notes

Language as a closed system, distinct from its use (parole)

Main Thesis - The Sign

Language in Time - Mutability

The Sign - Basics

Over time, language, being repeatedly used, does change

-> Arbitrariness allows for change

Change means an alteration of the relation between signifier and signified

"Language is intangible, but not unchangeable" (74)

Sound-Image (Signifier): Recollection of a word, "psychological imprint of the sound" (66)

Concept (Signified): Idea of a thing, what we have in mind

Structure, Style and Audience

Basic principles of the Sign

I. Arbitrariness

  • All signs are intrinsically arbitrary
  • Even non-linguistic signs resembling reality are valued for their codified nature
  • Example a) Onomatopoeia
  • Example b) Interjections

II. Linear Nature of the Signifier

  • Auditory signals proceed in and are limited by time

Language in Time - Immutability

The signifier, although arbitrary, is defined by its linguistic community

-> Language is hereditary and cannot be influenced by the individual

  • Generations intermingle, no abrupt change
  • Laws are transmitted unconsciously
  • Arbitrariness makes comparison useless
  • Language is too complex to be changed by the people
  • Language encompasses all society, making directed change impossible

Lecture Transcript -> Students as intended audience

Posthumous publication -> wider interest

Explanatory character of text

Linear structure

Use of various examples

Clear and simple style

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