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  Setting the Stage: Saussure's Inaugural Lecture Ferdinand de Saussure, challenging prevailing paradigms in linguistics, initiated a groundbreaking approach to comprehend the complexities of linguistic phenomena, placing a specific emphasis on the elusive nature of language. In doing so, Saussure departed from conventional methods, ushering in a novel perspective aimed at redefining the understanding of language and its intricate nuances. His views not only represented a departure from established norms but also marked a bold stride toward a fresh point of view from which to examine the fluid concepts employed within the field of linguistics. The inaugural lecture of his General Linguistics course at the University of Geneva began with a seemingly simple yet profound question: "Qu'est-ce que le langage?" He suggests that starting from an internal perspective (d'un principe interieur), linguistics could be seen as the science of language or languages: “…fr...

Introduction Ferdinand de Saussure´s exploration of language challenged conventional notions of reality and autonomy. In Part I, Chapter II, "Immutabilité et mutabilité du signe," Saussure introduces us to the concept of "La Langue," initially defined as " the whole set of linguistic habits which enables the speaker to understand and to make himself understood ." However, this seemingly autonomous system undergoes a profound transformation as Saussure introduces elements like the speaking mass (" But in order to have a language, there must be a community of speakers ") and time (" In order to come to terms with reality, therefore, one must supplement our first diagram language/speaking mass by some indication of the passage of time "). This move emphasizes the dynamic interplay of language with social reality and temporal evolution. A Fresh Perspective on Language Saussure's linguistic framework begins to emerge, diverging f...

Introduction In this text we discuss Jacques Derrida's groundbreaking critique of Aristotle's theory of the sign in "Of Grammatology//The Signifier and Truth." Through our examination of language and signification, we'll analyze Derrida's criticisms, his interpretation of Aristotle's foundational propositions and unveiling their inherent limitations. By challenging Aristotle's paradigm, Derrida not only prompts a reassessment of fundamental assumptions within Western philosophical discourse but also exposes the intricate dynamics shaping our understanding of language, meaning, and metaphysics. Derrida's Critique of Aristotle's Theory of the Sign To grasp Derrida's critique fully, let's start by examining Aristotle's theory of the sign, as articulated in the following excerpt from On Interpretation:  “ Now spoken sounds are symbols of affections in the soul, and written marks symbols of spoken sounds. And just as writt...