Saussures definition of language :: essays research papers

Most studies of language take a historical approach that emphasised, for instance, a "cause/effect" or sequential construe of meaning and communication. de Saussure used a synchronic method of acquire that looked at simultaneous relationships. One result of the synchronic method was Saussures crush on the double nature of language and linguistic elements.Saussure insisted on the governing bodyatic nature of language Language is a structure, a genial process whole in which the different parts are determined by one another (Course in General Linguistics p. 9). The combined elements of parole and langue form language. Language states Saussure, manifests itself as mother tongue (parole), the actual performance of singers when they speak or write, also language (langue), which represents the knowledge or competence that every speakers possess of their language (Course in General Linguistics p. 8- 9).Speech says Saussure, has twain an individual and social side always implies both establish system and evolution (Course in General Linguistics p. 8). All changes in language occur in parole, in the actual speech act. But whole some of these changes become institutionalised in langue. Saussure states that langue, should not be confused with human speech, it is a system or structure of speech codes. He argued that linguistic elements are relational, that it is viewpoint that creates the object of linguistic study. Because so much depends on viewpoint, the nature of the linguistic sign is necessarily arbitrary.Saussure followed that if we are able to recognise things through mental representations, then the head word also has to recognise words we hear via mental representations, in connection with distinguishing what the words mean via representations. From this, Saussure goes on to make the sign the agreement of sound-image and concept. Thus like Aristotle he seems to think that there are mental facts (concepts). He does not believe however of t he sound as a sign of those concepts, rather that the sound that travels due to the physical disturbance in the air (is associated with a mental representation of the sound) the sound-image.