Trigger Warning: Approach to "Course in General Linguistics" with Caution

 

Approach to "Course in General Linguistics" with Caution

The reader of "Course in General Linguistics" by Bally and Sechehaye should always keep in mind that this book was never read or approved for publication by Saussure himself, who had a profound aversion to publishing, as indicated in his own words (Starobinski 1979):

On a torn, undated page, we find this note from Ferdinand de Saussure:

“…absolutely incomprehensible if I were not forced to confess that I suffer from a morbid horror of the pen, and that this work is for me an experience of sheer torture, quite out of proportion to its relative unimportance. In the case of linguistics, the torture is increased for me by the fact that the simpler and more obvious a theory may be, the more difficult it is to express it simply, because I state as a fact that there is not one single term in this particular science which has ever been based on a simple idea, and that this being so, one is tempted five or six times between the beginning and end of a sentence to rewrite."

This aversion, coupled with the complexities inherent in linguistic concepts and the challenges of reconstructing his ideas from limited source materials, should raise several cautionary flags for those engaging with this posthumous work.

The process of creating this book involved various factors, including the compilation of materials, editorial interpretation, and the potential for bias introduced by the editors. Saussure's reluctance to publish his own work during his lifetime and his description of writing as "sheer torture" underscore the difficulties he faced in expressing his ideas in written form. This alone should prompt readers to approach the book with a critical eye.

One of the most significant challenges presented by the book is the potential for bias. Bally and Sechehaye, while well-intentioned, inevitably brought their own perspectives and interpretations to the project. Their decisions about what to include, how to structure the content, and how to clarify Saussure's ideas may not perfectly align with Saussure's original intent. This introduces a layer of subjectivity into the work and underscores the need for readers to exercise caution when taking the words in the book as a direct representation of Saussure's ideas (Harris 2003).

Additionally, the book's translation into English and other languages poses its own set of challenges. Saussure's terminology, with distinctions between terms like "langue" and "parole," "langue" and "langage," and "signifiant" and "signifié," is complex and may not have direct equivalents in English. Translators must navigate these linguistic nuances carefully to ensure that the original conceptual distinctions are preserved. However, different translators may make different choices, leading to potential inconsistencies and misinterpretations in the translated text (Bouissac 2010). For further exploration, check out the blog posts 'Sign, Signifier, and Signified in Linguistics' and 'The Significance of Terminology in Saussure's Work'.

Furthermore, the book's reliance on student notes and the absence of complete manuscripts from Saussure pose inherent dangers. The authenticity and accuracy of the content are continually debated, and scholars have scrutinized the sources and editorial decisions behind the book. Claims of invented material and discrepancies in the text have been raised, adding to the complexities surrounding its reliability (Sanders 2004).

In conclusion, it is essential for readers to approach the posthumous book "Course in General Linguistics" with caution. Saussure's aversion to publishing, the challenges of accurately conveying his linguistic ideas in written form, the potential for bias introduced by the editors, and the difficulties in translation all highlight the need for critical engagement with the text. While it remains a valuable resource for understanding Saussure's contributions to linguistics, it should be viewed as an imperfect representation of his ideas, subject to interpretation and potential limitations.

Note: This text supplement(s) the blog post “Deconstruction and Linguistics: Revisiting Derrida's Reading of Saussure's Cours”

 We're thrilled to have you reading our blogs! We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or any cool insights you might have about the fascinating world where linguistics and philosophy collide. Don't be shy – drop us a line and let's have a chat! Together, we'll dive into the exciting mysteries of linguistics and philosophy and build a friendly and engaging community of thinkers. 😊          Rodie

Riddle Me This:

  1. What was Ferdinand de Saussure's attitude towards publishing his work in linguistics during his lifetime?
    • Answer: He had a strong aversion to publishing his work and found it torturous.
  2. What was one of the challenges faced by Bally and Sechehaye in creating the book?
    • Answer: They had limited source material to work with, as Saussure's original manuscripts were incomplete or destroyed.
  3. What term was used by Saussure to describe language as a system of signs?
    • Answer: "Langue" is the term used by Saussure to describe language as a system of signs.
  4. Why should readers approach "Course in General Linguistics" with caution?
    • Answer: Readers should approach the book with caution due to potential issues with its content, authenticity, and the influence of editors' interpretations and biases.

Bibliography:

Saussure, Ferdinand de. 1916. Cours de linguistique générale. Edited by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, with Albert Riedlinger. Lausanne: Libraire Payot.

Bouquet, Simon, Rudolf Engler, and Antoinette Weil, eds. ESCRITOS SOBRE LINGÜÍSTICA GENERAL. Translated by Clara Ubaldina Lorda Mur. Original title: Écrits de linguistique générale, de Ferdinand de Saussure. © Éditions Gallimard, 2002.

Bouissac, Paul. 2010. "SAUSSURE: A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED." Continuum International Publishing Group.

Tallis, Raymond. Not Saussure: A Critique of Post-Saussurean Literary Theory. Macmillan Press, 1988.

Daylight, Russell. What if Derrida was wrong about Saussure? Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2011.

Starobinski, Jean. Words upon Words: The Anagrams of Ferdinand de Saussure. Translated by Olivia Emmet. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1979.

Sanders, Carol, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Saussure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

 Harris, Roy. Saussure and his Interpreters, 2nd ed. Edinburgh University Press, 2003. (First edition published 2001 by Edinburgh University Press.)

 

 

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