The Elusive Link Between Object and Name: Understanding the Relationship Between Language and Reality in Saussure's Theory
To determine the value of a five-franc coin , for instance, what must be known is: (1) that the coin can be exchanged for a certain quantity of something different, e.g. bread, and (2) that its value can be compared with another value in the same system, e.g. that of a one-franc coin, or of a coin belonging to another system (e.g. a dollar). [CGL] [160] Exergue 1. This acoustic image must be kept entirely distinct from the non-mental (physical) fact of the sound . Constantine's Notebook VII 68a 2. … words do not answer exactly to our definition of linguistic units …[CGL] [158] 3. … the language ( langue ), must not be taken as an equivalent to language ( langage ). Constantine's Notebook VII 74a The triple exergue of the article points to three interrelated concepts, which have been widely misunderstood: (1) the concept of signifiant ; (2) the concept of signe ; and (3) the concept of la langue . This triple exergue aims to draw attention to the following fa...