The Double Nature of Language: Between Stability and Change

Introduction

Language has long resisted rigid definitions. Even Ferdinand de Saussure, one of the most influential linguists, struggled to conceptualize it. He likened language to Proteus, the shape-shifting Greek deity, emphasizing its elusive and ever-changing character. As recorded in Émile Constantin’s notebooks, Saussure stated:

"Language is a field which is complex, protean and heterogeneous in its various facets."

This paradox is at the heart of linguistic theory. On one hand, language is a system, inherited from previous generations and functioning as a shared code among speakers. On the other, it is a dynamic entity, continuously evolving as society, technology, and cultural trends reshape communication.

In Course in General Linguistics, Saussure acknowledged this duality, distinguishing between language as a social structure and as an individual phenomenon. This article will explore how language maintains stability while remaining subject to constant transformation, using Saussure’s insights to illuminate this intricate balance.

Language as an Inherited System

Saussure argued that language is fundamentally an inheritance from the past, shaped by previous generations rather than individual speakers. He maintained that the original assignment of names to things has never been directly observed:

"At any given period, however far back in time we go, a language is always an inheritance from the past. The initial assignment of names to things, establishing a contract between concepts and sound patterns, is an act we can conceive in the imagination, but no one has ever observed it taking place. "

Instead, language operates as a collective construct, passed down over time and deeply ingrained in the minds of speakers. He described this shared nature in Cours:

"A language, as a collective phenomenon, takes the form of a totality of imprints in everyone’s brain, rather like a dictionary of which each individual has an identical copy. Thus, it is something which is in each individual, but is nonetheless common to all. At the same time, it is out of the reach of any deliberate interference by individuals."

This perspective highlights the stability of linguistic systems. Since no single person can unilaterally alter a language, it functions as a stablished, almost immutable institution. Grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation persist across generations, ensuring that communication remains intelligible over time.

However, this emphasis on continuity does not mean language is entirely static. While it may seem unchanging in the short term, over centuries, words, meanings, and structures inevitably evolve. This brings us to the second dimension of language—its constant transformation.

Language as a Constantly Changing Phenomenon

While language is transmitted through generations, it is far from fixed. Saussure recognized that linguistic systems are not immune to transformation, stating:

"Language at any given time involves an established system and an evolution. At any given time, it is an institution in the present and a product of the past. At first sight, it looks very easy to distinguish between the system and its history… In reality, the connection between the two is so close that it is hard to separate them."

This connection between tradition and change becomes evident in daily communication. New words frequently emerge, often driven by technological innovation, cultural shifts, or generational slang. Terms such as "meme," "selfie," and "WiFi" did not exist a few decades ago, yet they are now integral to modern discourse. Meanwhile, existing words undergo semantic shifts—"cloud" no longer refers solely to the sky but also to digital storage.

These changes, however, do not occur haphazardly. While individuals contribute to linguistic evolution, no single person dictates the direction of change. Innovations spread gradually, becoming widely accepted only if they resonate with a broader community. This delicate interplay between individual creativity and collective acceptance defines the transformation of language.

The Balance Between Stability and Change

The apparent contradiction between language’s permanence and its fluidity is resolved in Saussure’s discussion of Immutability and Mutability of the Sign. He articulates this dual nature as follows:

"A language is situated socially and chronologically by reference to a certain community and a certain period of time. No one can alter it in any particular. On the other hand, the fact that its signs are arbitrary implies theoretically a freedom to establish any connection whatsoever between sounds and ideas. The result is that each of the two elements joined together in the linguistic sign retains its own independence to an unparalleled extent. Consequently, a language alters, or rather evolves, under the influence of all factors which may affect either sounds or meanings. Evolution is inevitable: there is no known example of a language immune from it. After a certain time, changes can always be seen to have taken place."

This passage underscores the paradox at the core of linguistic change: while language is firmly rooted in tradition, it is also inherently unstable. The systemic framework of a language allows for predictability, yet gradual modifications accumulate, ensuring that no tongue remains unchanged across centuries.

For instance, English retains much of its historical grammar and vocabulary, yet Middle English and Modern English are distinctly different. Similarly, contemporary linguistic shifts, such as the increasing use of terms driven by technological innovation, demonstrate that evolution is an ongoing process.

Conclusion

The nature of language is defined by a constant tension between preservation and transformation. Saussure’s insights reveal that while language operates as a stable system, resistant to abrupt shifts, it is also an evolving phenomenon, shaped by the collective usage of speakers.

Whether one views language as fixed or fluid depends on perspective. From a structural standpoint, it appears unchanging, as its rules and conventions persist over time. Yet, at a broader historical scale, transformation is inevitable, with meanings, pronunciations, and vocabulary adapting to societal shifts.

This balance between continuity and innovation remains central to linguistic study. In the digital age, where globalization and technology accelerate the spread of new expressions, the dynamics of linguistic change are more visible than ever. Nonetheless, Saussure’s fundamental observation holds true: language is at once a legacy of the past and a living entity, constantly reshaped by its speakers.

Bibliography

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

Saussure, F. (1910-1911). Troisième cours de linguistique générale: d'après les cahiers d'Emile Constantin [Saussure's Third Course of Lectures on General Linguistics: From the Notebooks of Emile Constantin]. (R. Harris, Trans.) University of Oxford.1993