Saussure's Interdisciplinary Lens: Exploring the Peripheral Demarcation

Introduction

The inaugural two-hour lecture by Saussure at the University of Geneva was filled with groundbreaking information presented from a fresh perspective. While grappling with the challenge of defining linguistics and the concept of language from within the science itself, he proposes an external perspective. This involves establishing boundaries by examining what falls outside its domain. Saussure advocates defining linguistics by understanding its limits in relation to other sciences, providing a peripheral demarcation of its scope and unique characteristics.

In the following sections, we closely analyze the nexus Saussure establishes between linguistics and other sciences such as ethnology, philology, psychology, logic, and sociology. Our exploration begins with the intriguing intersection of linguistics and ethnology, where Saussure's teachings shed light on the profound connections between language and identity.

Linguistics and ethnology

Wilhelm von Humboldt observed that language can indicate racial or ethnic identity, as individuals often align themselves based on their languages. Saussure extends this notion, proposing that a single language within a group can lead to the predominance of a specific race and contribute to homogeneity. He underscores the significance of language in determining the racial or ethnic background of a community. 

Saussure's insights distinguish linguistics from philology, emphasizing its relevance in ethnology by illustrating how languages are intricately linked to the identity of a community. This connection is exemplified in the following excerpt from his "Premier Cours de Linguistique Générale" (1907), where, addressing the pronunciation of foreign words, he observes:

"The same goes for the pronunciation of foreign words. Should one say Tsürich ([tsyriç]) or Züric ([zyrik])? We will opt for Züric by the following reasoning: Z in French is voiced, thus since we are French, we should pronounce Züric " (Riedlinger 's notebooks).

It is interesting to note how Saussure draws his identity from the language he speaks, not from the geographical region where he was born and lived—Geneva. This observation seems to support the point made earlier. Building upon these ideas, Levi-Strauss further develops the concepts, introducing a novel approach in ethnology, a subfield of anthropology.

Linguistics and Philology

Philology involves the study of literary written texts and the historical development of languages, while linguistics is focused on the scientific examination of language and its components. Saussure highlights the historical intertwining of linguistics and philology, with scholars like Louis Havet mistakenly conflating the two. He identifies a key difference in their approaches, noting that philology emphasizes textual criticism, which hindered the development of linguistics by equating written text with language itself.

Despite the confusion, linguistics gained an advantage from its association with philology, particularly in terms of textual criticism rigor. As linguistics distanced itself, it turned to phonological studies, encompassing both the mechanism of speech (termed 'Phonology') and studies of phonetic laws ('Phonetics'). However, Saussure warns against an excessive focus on phonology and phonetics, pointing out the subsequent recognition of the role of mental phenomena in language formation. He emphasizes the importance of considering the psychological aspect of language alongside the physical properties of sound.

Linguistics and psychology

Despite having emphasized the importance of considering the psychological aspect of language alongside the physical properties of sound, Saussure contends in this part of the lecture that while psychology has made some contributions to linguistics and established a connection, the field of linguistics possesses unique aspects that surpass the scope of psychology's explanatory power. Implicit in Saussure's perspective is an emphasis on the autonomy and distinctiveness of linguistics as a standalone field of study. He seems to highlight that while psychology has found a place within linguistics, it has not fundamentally revolutionized or significantly advanced the understanding of language.

Linguistics and Logical Sciences

Saussure addresses next the relationship between linguistics and the logical sciences, particularly focusing on grammar. Grammar, as a logical science, appears to share a significant connection with linguistics. However, he contends that despite this apparent link, addressing grammatical concerns within the realm of linguistics is futile, and grammar cannot serve as a replacement for linguistics.

Saussure likely posits that the objectives and methodologies of linguistics are fundamentally distinct from those of grammar. While grammar operates within the realm of logical sciences, dealing with rules and structures of language, linguistics embraces a more comprehensive and scientific study of language. This broader scope includes the historical development of language, its social aspects, and the underlying principles governing its structure. In essence, Saussure suggests that grammar alone falls short of capturing the richness and complexity inherent in the linguistic phenomenon.

Linguistics and sociology

Building on his emphasis regarding the distinctiveness of linguistics from psychology, Saussure explores the connection between linguistics and sociology, presenting a significant observation. He suggests that sociology functions as an intermediary link between linguistics and psychology, filling a gap in language understanding. Saussure highlights how sociological factors contribute to and complement both psychological and linguistic dimensions, establishing a more holistic framework for comprehending the complexities of language.

This implies that factors, such as social context, cultural influences, and community dynamics, play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the study of language and understanding psychological aspects related to language use. Essentially, societal factors mediate the relationship between language and individual or cognitive aspects.

In conclusion, Saussure's exploration of the peripheral demarcation between linguistics and other sciences, such as ethnology, philology, psychology, logic, and sociology, indicated the close connection between language and various disciplines. By grappling with the challenge of defining linguistics in general and language in particular, Saussure advocates for an external perspective, emphasizing the importance of understanding its boundaries in relation to other sciences and fostering a broader appreciation for the interconnectedness of language with nearby academic fields.

Bibliography

De Saussure, Ferdinand. Premier Cours de Linguistique Générale (1907): D'après les Cahiers d'Albert Riedlinger. Saussure's First Course of Lectures on General Linguistics (1907): From the Notebooks of Albert Riedlinger. Edited by Eisuke Komatsu. Translated by George Wolf. Tokyo: Gakushuin University, 1996. Pergamon.