General Linguistics: A Copernican Revolution

  

« Bien loin que l’objet précède le point de vue, on dirait que c’est le point de vue qui crée l’objet »      [CGL] [23]

Introduction

Ferdinand de Saussure made a profound impact on the field of linguistics with his revolutionary ideas. His work, particularly as presented in his posthumously published "Course in General Linguistics" (CLG), fundamentally transformed the way we perceive and study language. At the heart of Saussure's achievement lies his systematic elaboration of a general science of signs, or semiology, which reshaped linguistics and inaugurated a new era in the understanding of language.

From Nomenclature to Semiology

Before Saussure's contributions, language was predominantly seen as a tool for naming and describing objects in the external world, essentially a nomenclature. 

 [97] « Pour certaines personnes la langue, ramenée à son principe essentiel, est une nomenclature, c’est-à-dire une liste de termes correspondant à autant de choses ». (Saussure 1916)

However, Saussure challenged this conventional viewpoint. He argued that in order to grasp language, as an object of scientific enquiry, we must methodologically shift our focus from regarding it as a simple tool to comprehending it as a complex network of interconnected signs. In doing so, Saussure showed that language's significance doesn't stem from external objects but rather from the intricate system of signs it embodies.

Semiology: A New Science

Saussure's work in CLG served as the foundation for semiology, a broader science of signs that transcends the boundaries of language. While his principles were initially developed with language in mind, Saussure envisioned semiology as a comprehensive exploration of "the life of signs in social life." This visionary perspective paved the way for future thinkers to apply semiological principles to various facets of human existence.

Furthermore, Saussure didn't view semiology as a standalone discipline. Instead, he saw it as an integral part of social psychology and, by extension, general psychology. While his use of terms like "social psychology" and "psychology" may differ from contemporary interpretations, Saussure's emphasis on the interconnectedness of semiology and psychology remains evident. He believed that the study of signs extended far beyond language alone and had profound implications for understanding human behavior and society.

[33] It is therefore possible to conceive of a science which studies the role of signs as part of social life. It would form part of social psychology, and hence of general psychology. We shall call it semiology (from the Greek sēmeîon, ‘sign’). (Saussure 1916)

Autonomy of Linguistics

Saussure's strategy to distinguish linguistics from other disciplines was both theoretical and political. By defining the language system (langue) as a unique object of study, he effectively declared linguistics as an autonomous realm of scientific inquiry. This marked a critical point in the history of linguistics, shifting the perspective from language as a means to study other phenomena to language becoming a legitimate subject of systematic investigation.

Saussure faced challenges in establishing the autonomy of linguistics, as the prevalent view of language as a nomenclature hindered the understanding of its true nature. However, his shift in perspective was essential for the development of linguistics as an independent science. At that moment language is constituted as an object of scientific enquiry in its own right and a new science, General Linguistics, is born.

Linguistics: Langue and Parole

In defining linguistics, Saussure introduced a fundamental distinction between "internal" linguistics of the language system (langue) and "external" linguistics of speech (parole). While the former focuses on the internal principles governing the language system, the latter explores the individual and social uses of language.

It's important to note that this dichotomy is primarily methodological rather than ontological. Saussure's theory doesn't divide language itself into two separate entities; instead, it provides a methodological framework for studying the internal structure of language and its external manifestations.

Conclusion

Ferdinand de Saussure's contribution to linguistics and semiotics cannot be overstated. His work in "Course in General Linguistics" revolutionized our understanding of language and paved the way for the development of semiology—a science of signs that extends beyond language into the realms of culture, society, and human cognition.

Saussure's shift in perspective, from language as a nomenclature to language as a complex system of signs, initiated a Copernican revolution in linguistics. By emphasizing the autonomy of linguistics and delineating the distinctions between langue and parole, he created a framework that allowed for a more profound and systematic examination of language. This paradigm shift not only enriched our comprehension of linguistic phenomena but also opened new avenues for exploring the broader implications of semiology in various domains of human life.

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Riddle Me This:

What was the primary contribution of Ferdinand de Saussure to the field of linguistics?

A) A method for translating ancient texts

B) A theory of language as a nomenclature

C) A systematic elaboration of semiology

D) An analysis of the history of language development

Bibliography:

Saussure, Ferdinand de. Course in General Linguistics. Translated and annotated by Roy Harris. With a new introduction by Roy Harris.

Thibault, Paul J. Re-reading Saussure: The Dynamics of Signs in Social Life. Published 1997 by Routledge, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN.