Two Roads Diverged in Linguistics: He Took the Less Traveled By

Saussure: Our discipline's definition and framework become more precise when we grasp the vital distinction between "langue" and "parole." Essentially, the study of "langue" serves as the cornerstone for comprehending and dissecting language as a whole. It's important to recognize that "parole" holds a subsidiary but supplementary role to "langue" as it represents the tangible manifestation of the rules and structures embedded within "langue." This distinction forms the foundation of our linguistic exploration.

Student 1: One may perhaps object to regarding speech as separate from the language system. What about the evidence provided by phonetic changes, coming from alterations in sounds as produced in speech? Do not these have a profound influence upon the destiny of the language itself? Have we really the right to claim that a language exists independently of such phenomena?

Saussure: To understand that the physical act of producing speech sounds, for example, is separate from the language system itself (langue), we could compare the production of the sounds required for speech to the execution of a musical score. Just as the quality of the performance of a symphony by musicians does not affect the composition's inherent reality, the way speech sounds are produced does not impact the underlying language system.

My point is that "langue" is the stable and underlying structure of language, akin to the musical score of a symphony. "Parole," on the other hand, represents the practical, variable use of language in speech, much like the way a symphony is performed by musicians. The two are related but distinct aspects of "langage," or language in its entirety.

Student 2: Is la langue, language itself as a system of signs, affected by phonetic changes that result in changes of interpretation?

Saussure: Even if phonetic changes influence the interpretation of language, this influence is indirect and not a fundamental characteristic of language as a system of signs. While it can be interesting to study the causes of these phonetic changes and how they affect language, such study is not essential for the science of language. The primary focus of linguistic analysis should be on observing sound transformations and understanding their effects within the context of the language system, which is the central concern of "langue."

Student 3: Why do you say that phonetic changes influence the interpretation of language only indirectly and that this influence is not a fundamental characteristic of language as a system of signs?

Saussure: Phonetic changes indeed influence language interpretation, but mainly indirectly. We must differentiate between diachronic and synchronic aspects of language. Phonetic changes belong to the diachronic, focusing on historical language evolution. The core of language, as a system of signs, is found in the synchronic viewpoint – the contemporary state. Phonetic changes primarily affect word material, such as pronunciation, not the structural sign system's core relationships and rules, which remain stable. The fundamental language characteristic lies in this structural system, not in phonetic changes. The central essence of language is the synchronic system and its constant relationships, even as language material evolves over time.

Student 4: What about the activity of the speaker? Should we, as linguists, be concerned with the speaking subject?

Saussure: The speaker's activity is a relevant aspect in linguistic study, but within linguistics, our focus on the speaking subject is primarily through its relationship with linguistic structure. Linguistics encompasses two facets, the one which centers on language itself, constitutes a purely psychological study that is social and independent of individuals. The other part explores the individual's role in language, namely speech and is a psycho-physical study. These two aspects of study are closely related and mutually reliant. Language is essential for comprehensible and effective speech, and, conversely, speech is crucial for the establishment of a language.

In summary, there exists a significant interdependence between language itself and speech, with each serving as both the instrument and the product of the other. Nonetheless, this interdependence does not blur the fundamental distinction between the two within the field of linguistics.

Student 5: I've been exploring your distinction between "langue" and "parole," and I couldn't help but notice some intriguing parallels between your framework and Immanuel Kant's concepts. It appears that your differentiation bears a striking resemblance to Kant's "quid juris" and "quid facti." Both distinctions appear to share a common thread in separating the normative and empirical aspects. It's intriguing to see how these philosophical ideas connect with your linguistic theory, and I'd love to hear your insights on this apparent alignment.

Saussure: You have said so. In any case, it appears, in the context of our discussion here, that it is not feasible to consider both "langue" and "parole" from the same point of view. As I mentioned, "a panorama must be taken from just one point."

It seems incompatible to embark on both paths simultaneously, and I have chosen the less trodden one, focusing solely on the language system, which is the center of my theory. While we may draw insights from the study of speech, it is relevant to maintain the distinction between these two domains and avoid any blurring of boundaries.

Bibliography

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Saussure, Ferdinand de. "Course in General Linguistics." Translated and annotated by Roy Harris. With a new introduction by Roy Harris. Bloomsbury, 2013.

De Saussure, Ferdinand. "Curso de Lingüística General." Traducido por Amado Alonso. 24ª edición. Editorial Losada, 1945.

Saussure, Ferdinand de. Cours de linguistique générale. Edited by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, with the collaboration of Albert Riedlinger. Arbre d’Or, Genève, 2005.

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.

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Thibault, Paul J. Re-reading Saussure: The Dynamics of Signs in Social Life. London and New York: Routledge, 1997.