Stability and Change in Language: An Exploration of Saussure’s Linguistic Paradox

Introduction

Ferdinand de Saussure’s revolutionary insight in linguistics is that the object of study is shaped by the perspective of the observer; it is the viewpoint that defines the object, rather than the object existing independently of observation. This idea is central to understanding Saussure’s discussion of the linguistic sign, particularly its dual nature of invariability and variability. While the connection between a signifier and a signified is arbitrary, once established, it becomes resistant to change—illustrating the concept of invariability. However, as language is transmitted through time, gradual shifts occur, demonstrating variability. These ideas are crucial to the study of the system both synchronically, focusing on the stability of language at a given moment, and diachronically, examining how it evolves over time. The interplay between these concepts highlights how speech can remain stable while adapting through historical processes, balancing continuity and alteration.

Invariability of the Linguistic Sign

Saussure emphasizes that the relationship between the signifier and the signified is inherently arbitrary. There is no natural connection between the two; for example, there is no intrinsic reason why the signifier "tree" should signify the concept of a tree. However, once a signifier and signified pair is established within a linguistic community, it becomes fixed. This creates a "linguistic Hobson’s choice"—while the initial choice of a signifier is arbitrary, speakers are bound to it and lack the freedom to change it. Language is an inherited system, passed down through generations, making sudden or deliberate alterations almost impossible. Unlike other social institutions, such as laws, customs or fashion that can be altered by collective decisions, language is used unconsciously by all members of a society. This makes it more resistant to shift. Paradoxically, the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign should allow for changes, but in practice, this arbitrariness contributes to the stability of the system.

Variability of the Linguistic Sign

While the linguistic sign demonstrates invariability, its continuity over time also makes gradual change possible. Saussure describes this as "relative infidelity," where alterations in language build upon existing structures rather than creating entirely new systems. For instance, the Latin necāre ("to kill") evolves into the French noyer ("to drown"), illustrating how the signifier and signified shift over time. Although both the signifier and the signified have reconfigured, this evolution preserves elements of the original structure. Such shifts show that variability is not random; instead, it occurs systematically within the inherited framework of the linguistic system. Each modification respects the existing relationships between signifiers and signifieds and integrates into the broader linguistic system. This dynamic nature of flux underscores Saussure’s point that the principle of change is rooted in continuity. Language evolves because it is a continuous system passed through generations, where each new stage is shaped by what preceded it.

The Shift between Signifier and Signified

Saussure’s phrase "a shift in the relationship between signifier and signified" (un déplacement du rapport entre le signifié et le signifiant) is central to understanding linguistic evolution. It highlights how the connection between the signifier and the signified can change over time while maintaining a degree of continuity. For example, the Old English fōt (singular) and fēt (plural) evolved into the modern English foot and feet. The signifier changed in pronunciation, but the distinction between singular and plural persisted, showing a shift rather than a complete break in the link between form and meaning. Such shifts illustrate that transformations in language occur within the system’s structure. Even when a signifier or signified changes, its overall structure adapts, preserving continuity. This dynamic process means that language evolves gradually, modifying how words and meanings are linked, but without losing its fundamental organization. Saussure’s view emphasizes that linguistic evolution is not a matter of abrupt breaks but of subtle shifts that alter the system while keeping it intact.

Synchronic and Diachronic Linguistics in Light of the Invariability and Variability of the Sign

The synchronic approach in linguistics focuses on the stability of language at a particular point in time. It analyzes linguistic structure as a fixed system, examining the interrelation between signifiers and signifieds as they exist at a specific moment. In contrast, the diachronic approach explores how it evolves over time, tracing shifts in these associations as words and meanings change through historical processes.

In this context, Saussure's concept of invariability aligns with synchronic analysis, as it highlights how language operates as a stable system within a given timeframe. Speakers use established signifiers and signifieds without altering the underlying structure. Variability, however, corresponds to diachronic analysis, emphasizing how the transmission of discourse across generations allows for gradual changes in the relationships between signifiers and signifieds.

Saussure’s insight that "change arises from continuity" illustrates the connection between these two perspectives. The synchronic stability of a language provides the foundation that allows for incremental diachronic developments. For example, the Old German word dritteil, meaning "a third," became Drittel in modern German. In this case, although the signified has remained the same, the relationship has changed in two ways. The signifier has altered both phonetically and grammatically; what was once recognized as a combination of drit (third) and Teil (part) has become a single, unanalysable unit. This, too, represents a shift in the nexus between signifier and signified. Thus, synchronic stability serves as the basis upon which diachronic shifts can occur.

Conclusion

Saussure's analysis of the linguistic sign reveals a complex interplay between invariability and variability, grounded in shifts between signifiers and signifieds. While the arbitrary nature of the sign leads to a stable bond that resists modification (invariability), the transmission of language through time allows for gradual shifts, altering these relationships (variability). This dynamic yet stable nature of language is central to Saussure’s view, where uninterrupted progression supports the possibility of change.  The notion that "change arises from continuity" highlights how synchronic stability forms the foundation for diachronic evolution. Saussure's insights remain highly relevant in linguistics, offering a nuanced understanding of how modes of expression maintain their structure while adapting over time. This perspective helps us appreciate the intricate balance between continuity and transformation, providing a deeper understanding of how languages evolve while retaining their core identity.

Bibliography

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

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.