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                       mene, mene, tekel, parsin Introduction Ferdinand de Saussure’s Course in General Linguistics establishes key distinctions and frameworks that continue to influence the field. By focusing on the linguistic structure ( la langue ) and differentiating it from the external elements of language, Saussure sought to provide a clear object of study for linguistics, one that would encompass the diverse and multifaceted nature of language while remaining coherent and structured. His decision to exclude “writing” from his analysis, viewing it as an external element, has been a significant point of contention, particularly for Jacques Derrida in his Of Grammatology . Derrida's critique questions whether Saussure’s methodology inadvertently reinforced a speech-writing hierarchy, deeply rooted in Western thought, or if Derrida himself misinterpreted or oversimplified Saussure’s theoretical framework. This articl...

Introduction In the article The Nuanced Meaning of 'General' in Saussure's 'General' Linguistics (see link below) , we explored how Ferdinand de Saussure's early career in Paris began with high expectations, only for his scholarly productivity to diminish as he encountered the limitations of the linguistic terminology of his time. Disillusioned by its inability to address what he saw as the most critical issues in the field, Saussure shifted his focus to the question of "language in general." Within his theoretical framework, the term "general" took on a specific technical meaning, which he later elaborated in his Course in " General " Linguistics . Here, "general" referred not to a broad, all-encompassing concept but to the foundational structures of language that underpin its various forms. This focused definition led Saussure to deliberately exclude "external" elements, such as writing, from his analysis—a ...

  Introduction Jacques Derrida's engagement with Ferdinand de Saussure's linguistic theories has significantly impacted how Saussure is viewed and interpreted in modern academic discourse. This blog post critically examines the extent to which Derrida's reading has shaped the current image of Saussure. While Derrida's work has undeniably contributed to our understanding of language and semiotics, it is essential to assess whether his interpretations accurately represent Saussure's multifaceted linguistic theory. Derrida's Focus on Saussurean Originality Derrida's primary focus in his engagement with Saussure lies in delineating Saussure's originality within the broader context of the concept of the sign. His goal is to investigate the "tradition of the concept of the sign" and discern "the originality of Saussure's contribution within this continuity". Essentially, he seeks to understand what unique contributions Saussure ...