Duality of Sciences Concerned with Values: The Interplay of Change and Stability in Language

 

Introduction

Ferdinand de Saussure made significant contributions to the field of linguistics in the early 20th century. His work laid the foundation for what we know today as the structuralist approach to language, which has had a profound impact on the study of linguistics and other related disciplines. One of his key insights is the notion of "internal duality" within sciences concerned with values, particularly linguistics. In this blog post, we will explore Saussure's ideas and how they shed light on the unique challenges posed by language and the division of linguistics into "Synchronic Linguistics" and "Diachronic Linguistics."

The Problem of Time in Linguistics

Saussure's exploration begins with the recognition that time plays a unique role in the study of language. Unlike many other sciences, linguistics cannot ignore the passage of time:

[114] "In astronomy, it is observed that in the course of time heavenly bodies undergo considerable changes. But astronomy has not on that account been obliged to split into two separate disciplines."

Languages are not static; they evolve, change, and adapt over time. This dynamic aspect of language poses a fundamental challenge for linguists, leading to the need for a distinction between two radically different approaches.

Value in Language

To understand Saussure's ideas, we must first grasp the concept of "value" in language. In various scientific disciplines, there is a system of equivalence between different elements. For instance, in economics, we have equivalence between work and wages, while in linguistics, equivalence exists between signifier and signified. The study of these equivalences forms the basis of many scientific investigations.

Two Axes in Linguistics

Saussure's key insight lies in the proposal to differentiate between two fundamental axes for the study of language:

1.      Axis of Simultaneity (AB): This axis focuses on the relations between elements in a language that exist simultaneously, without considering the passage of time. It is about understanding language as it exists at a specific moment in time.

2.      Axis of Succession (CD): This axis, on the other hand, allows us to study one linguistic element at a time, taking into account the changes it undergoes over time. It encompasses everything on the first axis but also considers the temporal dimension.

The Necessity of the Distinction

Saussure emphasizes the need to approach the study of language from both diachronic and synchronic perspectives. In economics, for example, the value of a piece of land depends on the income it generates. This income can be traced over time, considering the relevant system of contemporary values. However, in linguistics, natural connections between linguistic signs and their referents are absent, values are purely conventional and arbitrary within "la langue."

This absence of natural connections between linguistic signs and the world makes the distinction between synchronic and diachronic linguistics crucial. Without this division, understanding the complex web of linguistic signs and their interdependencies would be nearly impossible, as there are no external, natural referents to provide a basis for assessment or comparison. This distinction enables linguists to independently study values in language and their evolution, providing valuable insights into the nature of language.

Language is a System of Pure Values

Saussure highlights that language is a system of pure values, determined solely by the current state of its constituent elements. Unlike economics or astronomy, where natural connections between elements provide some degree of continuity, in language, this is not the case. Linguistic values are not tied to the world in a direct, natural way. Thus, the distinction between the two axes becomes imperative for the study of language.

Synchronic and Diachronic Linguistics

To mark this distinction effectively and recognize the two orders of phenomena related to language, Saussure suggests the terms "Synchronic Linguistics" and "Diachronic Linguistics." Synchronic Linguistics refers to the study of language at a relatively stable period in time, focusing on the aspect of language (langue) during that time. Diachronic Linguistics, on the other hand, involves the study of language evolution over time.

Conclusion

Saussure's insights into the internal duality of sciences concerned with values, particularly linguistics, have had a lasting impact on the field. By recognizing the need to account for the passage of time in understanding language and by proposing the distinction between Synchronic and Diachronic Linguistics, he revolutionized linguistic studies. Language, as a system of pure values with no natural connections over time, requires this dual approach for a comprehensive understanding. In essence, Saussure's work reminds us that the study of language is not solely about what words mean in isolation or across time but also about how they function within the system in which they are embedded at a given moment in time.

“When I started my linguistic journey, I thought words would be like puzzle pieces, fitting together perfectly across different languages. But as it turns out, 'mucho' and 'much' are like two puzzle pieces belonging to entirely different sets. In the world of linguistics, the rules are anything but universal, as is evident from the foundations of our science” 🧩

 Related post: The Two-Headed Eagle of Language and the Dual Blades of Understanding

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-two-headed-eagle-of-language-and.html

 Bibliography

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

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.

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