The Interplay between Saussure's Course in General Linguistics and his Study of Germanic Legends


 Introduction

Ferdinand de Saussure's study of Germanic legends, conducted between 1903 and 1910, offers a fascinating perspective on the intersection of his mythographic research and his Cours in General Linguistics (from1907 to1910) . This blog post explores the relationship between these two seemingly distinct domains of Saussure's intellectual pursuits, emphasizing specific aspects such as the linguistic category of the proper name and the notions of arbitrariness, mutability, and immutability of the sign, as well as the concept of linguistic value.

Proper Name: A Bridge Between Legend and Linguistics

One of the fundamental aspects of Saussure's inquiry into Germanic legends is the examination of proper names within these legendary narratives. While his famous Course in General Linguistics (CLG) primarily focuses on linguistic signs and their structural properties, Saussure's engagement with proper names in the context of legends sheds light on their unique status within language and storytelling.

In the CLG, Saussure discusses the proper name as a linguistic sign characterized by a specific relationship between the signifier (the name itself) and the signified (the entity it represents). Proper names are distinct from common nouns, as they possess a direct, non-arbitrary connection with their referents:

[237] “The only forms over which analogy exercises no power are naturally isolated words, such as proper names, especially place names (Paris, Genève, Agen, etc.). These admit of no analysis and consequently no interpretation of their elements”. (Saussure 1916)

In the realm of Germanic legends, Saussure likely explored how proper names functioned as semiotic entities, conveying specific individuals, places, or concepts.

Arbitrariness Unveiled: Names and Symbols in Legends

Saussure's concept of arbitrariness in linguistic signs, which posits that the connection between the signifier and the signified is fundamentally arbitrary, finds relevance when examining the names and symbols present in Germanic legends. Within these narratives, names often carry symbolic weight, connecting characters to their mythological or historical origins.

While Saussure's analysis primarily focused on linguistic signs, his exploration of the arbitrariness of signs in legends may have extended to consider how names within legends acquire their meaning and symbolism. The arbitrary nature of these connections could be key to understanding the cultural significance of these stories.

Mutability and Immutability: A Narrative Perspective

Saussure's linguistic theories encompass the concepts of mutability and immutability of signs. Some signs change over time (mutability), while others remain relatively stable (immutability). In the context of Germanic legends, Saussure likely examined how the names and linguistic elements within these narratives evolved or remained constant over time.

This exploration aligns with Saussure's broader understanding of linguistic signs, where some signs may undergo transformations while others maintain their linguistic identity:

 [105] Any given linguistic state is always the product of historical factors, and these are the factors which explain why the linguistic sign is invariable, that is to say why it is immune from arbitrary alteration. (Saussure 1916)

[108] The passage of time, which ensures the continuity of a language, also has another effect, which appears to work in the opposite direction. It allows linguistic signs to be changed with some rapidity. Hence variability and invariability are both, in a certain sense, characteristic of the linguistic sign. (Saussure 1916)

Applying these concepts to legends reveals the dynamic nature of narratives and the way names and symbols evolve within them.

Linguistic Value: Significance within a Narrative System

Saussure's concept of linguistic value, relative to the significance of linguistic signs within a language system, can be applied to the study of proper names within Germanic legends. Proper names, due to their specific referential nature, often possess a unique linguistic value.

In the world of legends, the linguistic value of proper names could have a profound impact on the overall structure of these narratives and their cultural importance. Saussure's exploration of this concept would provide insights into how names function within the broader narrative system.

[158] The value of a word is mainly or primarily thought of in terms of its capacity for representing a certain idea. (Saussure 1916)

Conclusion: A Unified Perspective on Language and Legend

In summary, Saussure's mythographic studies are intimately related to his linguistic theories, bridging the seemingly disparate worlds of language and legend. Through the analysis of proper names, Saussure explored their unique role as linguistic signs within narratives. Additionally, his examination of arbitrariness, mutability, immutability, and linguistic value in the context of legends contributed to a deeper understanding of the interplay between linguistic principles and the world of storytelling.

Saussure's belief that linguistic and legendary systems are subjected to the same laws and vicissitudes underscores the interconnectedness of these domains. His exploration of how proper names acquire meaning, the arbitrary nature of connections within legends, and the dynamic evolution of signs in narratives enriches both linguistic and mythographic studies. Therefore, Saussure's mythographic studies should not be seen as a separate endeavor but rather as an integral part of his broader intellectual project, shedding light on the intricate relationship between language, symbols, and storytelling.

 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:

Question 1: What aspect of Saussure's linguistic theory is relevant when examining the names and symbols in Germanic legends?

A) The concept of arbitrariness

B) The concept of mutability

C) The concept of immutability

·         Answer: A) The concept of arbitrariness

Question 2: What is one of the fundamental characteristics of proper names discussed in Saussure's Course in General Linguistics (CLG)?

A) They have a direct connection with their referents.

B) They are always arbitrary in their signification.

C) They change over time in linguistic systems.

·         Answer: A) They have a direct connection with their referents.

Note: The correct choice, A), is justified by the text's discussion of proper names as isolated words that cannot be analyzed or interpreted within the language system. This unique characteristic implies that the meaning of proper names is directly tied to their referents, as there are no linguistic elements within the name itself that convey meaning.

For more information read: Cours, Part 3, Chapter 5, Analogy and Evolution, §3 Analogy as a principle of renovation and conservation [235-237]

Bibliography

Avalle, D'Arco S. 1973. "La sémiologie de la narrativité chez Saussure." In Essais de la théorie du texte, edited by Charles Bouazis and D'Arco S. Avalle. Paris: Galillée.

Henriques, S. M. (2018). O Estudo Saussuriano sobre as Lendas Germânicas. D.E.L.T.A., 34(3), 997-1017. Retrieved from [https://www.scielo.br/j/delta/a/rDnWwhCFfXzFrMtRgFS3JVq/?lang=pt]

ENGLER, R. 1962. "Théorie et critique d’un principe saussurien: l’arbitraire du signe." Cahiers Ferdinand de Saussure. Revue suisse de linguistique générale, no. 19. Genève: Librairie Droz S.A.

Culler, Jonathan. 1976. SAUSSURE. Fontana/Collins.

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

PROSDOCIMI, A. 1983. "Sul Saussure delle leggende germaniche." In Cahiers Ferdinand de Saussure. Revue suisse de linguistique générale, no. 37, 35-106. Genève: Librairie Droz S.A. Publicado por Cercle Ferdinand de Saussure.

TURPIN, B. 2003. "Légendes – Mythes – Histoire: La circulation des signes." In Cahiers de L’Herne: Saussure.

Stawarska, Beata. 2015. Saussure’s Philosophy of Language as Phenomenology: Undoing the Doctrine of the Course in General Linguistics. Oxford UP.

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.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Conversation with Saussure

Image
  A Conversation with Le Maître Student : I arrived in Geneva last night from France, taking the 8.45 train from Paris. I was eager to meet you because I stumbled upon a book that references your teachings. I'd like to read a passage from it and hear your thoughts: "In the eyes of Saussure, writing is a garb of perversion and debauchery, a cloak of corruption and disguise, a masquerade that must be exorcised – in other words, fended off – by the virtuous word: 'Writing veils the appearance of language; it is not a guise for language but a disguise'. A peculiar 'image.' One might already suspect that if writing is an 'image' and an external 'figuration,' this 'representation' is not without its implications. The exterior and interior share a relationship that is, as usual, anything but mere externalization." What's your perspective on this? Saussure : Before I dive into the topic, I'd like to acknowledge that the pass...
Read more

Historia and Différance: The Interplay of Narrative and Deconstruction

Image
Objective: To examine the philosophical and narrative parallels between Herodotus and Derrida, highlighting how Herodotus’ innovative treatment of history, origins, and storytelling elucidates key dimensions of Derrida’s deconstructive philosophy. This article argues that the ancient historian offers a tangible and accessible entry point into Derrida’s complex ideas, including his critique of metaphysics, the concept of différance, and the portrayal of history as fragmented, fluid, and nonlinear. Introduction Herodotus, the "father of history," as he is often called, occupies a singular place in intellectual tradition by blending narrative exploration with philosophical inquiry. Similarly, Jacques Derrida revolutionized contemporary thought through his challenges to established notions of origins, meaning, and causality. This article explores the relationship between these two figures, analyzing how the former’s fluid approach to beginnings, storytelling, and causati...
Read more

“There Is Nothing Outside”: A Parallel Between Nietzsche and Derrida’s Radical Critiques of Metaphysics

Image
Abstract This article explores the philosophical convergence between Nietzsche’s “there is nothing outside the whole” ( es gibt nichts außer dem Ganzen ) in Twilight of the Idols and Derrida’s “there is nothing outside the text” ( il n’y a pas de hors-texte ) in Of Grammatology . Both statements dismantle metaphysical frameworks by rejecting external origins or absolute truths and affirming systems as self-referential and interwoven. Nietzsche challenges the notion of divine or teleological causation, while Derrida critiques the idea of an independent "transcendental signified." By providing the intellectual background of these declarations and analyzing their shared themes, the article illuminates their joint significance in destabilizing Western philosophical traditions and revealing the immanent, dynamic nature of existence and meaning. Introduction The lines “there is nothing outside the whole” and “there is nothing outside the text” are cornerstones of Niet...
Read more