2. 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.
3. Ferdinand de Saussure-Bio
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)
5. 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)
6. Ferdinand de Saussure
-Linguistics / Key Terms
What is language: Knowledge
Collective knowledge vs individual use
Distinction between LANGUE vs PAROLE
7. Ferdinand de Saussure
-Linguistics / Key Terms
What is language: Knowledge
Collective knowledge vs individual use
Distinction between LANGUE vs PAROLE
8.
9. 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
11. 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)
12. 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
13. 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
14. •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
15.
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. Langue vs. Parole
Language System
Consist of stable:
Conventions
Rules
Codes
Language Behaviour
• Production of sentences :
Unpredictable
Heterogeneous
Whimsical (capricious)
Variable
20. 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
21. 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
22.
23. 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
24. 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
28. 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
29. 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
30. 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
31. 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
32. 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
33. 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
34. 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
36. 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
37. 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
38.
39. 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
40. Variation & Flexibility
Both selection (paradigmatic) & combination
(syntagmatic) processes unable us to construct different
sentences
41. 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
45. 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
47. 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
48. 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
49. 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
53. Linguistic SignIt is a physical marker –carries some
information
Direct
Brief
Precise (only this not other)
54. Parts of Sign
The linguistic sign is consist of two parts:
Sign
The signifier The signified
The word The concept
which signifies The object
55. 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
56. 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)
57. Validity of SignThis relationship once establish as social fact
Continues over a long period of time
Social agreement gives it validity
58. 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
59. 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.
61. Ferdinand de Saussure
-Linguistics / Key Terms
Sign:
combination of a concept and a sound-image
Signifier:
the sound-image
Signified:
concept
62. Ferdinand de Saussure
-Linguistics / Key Terms
Sign:
combination of a concept and a sound-image
Signifier:
the sound-image
Signified:
concept
63. What does all this mess mean?
An Example of Saussure’s words
Signifier I Signified I
(Image) (Concept)
(Roses) (Passion)
Sign I
(passionified roses)
64. 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) ...
67. Ferdinand de Saussure-Linguistics
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.)
68. Ferdinand de Saussure-Linguistics
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.
69. Ferdinand de Saussure-Linguistics
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)
70. Ferdinand de Saussure-Linguistics
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.”
71. Ferdinand de Saussure-Linguistics
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
74. Ferdinand de Saussure
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
75.
76. 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)
78. 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
79. 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
80. Diachronic Approach
Equivalent to historical:
It investigates language changes
as they have occurred from time to time
The evolution of languages
81. Inter-relationship of Synchronic & DiachronicCD 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
82. 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
83. 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
84. Analogy of the Game of Chess
Game Rules
Which are determined
before the game
Continue to operate with
each move
Language Rules
Similarly rules exist in
language too
85. Analogy of the Game of Chess
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
86. Analogy of the Game of Chess
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
87. Ferdinand de Saussure
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.
88. Ferdinand de Saussure
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”).
89. 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
