Ferdinand de Saussure
(1857-1913)
De Saussure was a noted linguist whose theories
on the structure of
language had a profound effect on modern linguistics and
Literary Theory. His system was based on
the concepts
of the signifier (sound image or graphic), the referent
(object or real thing) and the
signified (concept or meaning). He
posited that the connection between the signifier
and the signified was
an arbitrary one based on conventions of politeness. Another
key to his
theories is the idea of difference: he believed that signification was
a
function of difference.
History
De Saussure came from a family of noted
intellectuals. His father,
Henri de Saussure, was a well known biologist and his
grandfather, Horace-Benedict, was a geologist who advanced the science
of tectonics,
as well as being the first person to climb to the summit of
Mont-Blanc (1787).
De
Saussure is known as the "Father of Modern Linguistics" Because of
his work with
Indo-European languages. In Paris and in Geneva, between 1881 and
1891, he studied
Sanskrit, comparitive languages and linguistics.
Three years after his death,
his students published his notes on the
structure of language which had a profound
influence on modern
linguistics and Semiology.
Movements
The writings of de Saussure had a profound effect
upon:
Semiology or Semiotics
Structuralism
Writings
- Course in General
Linguistics (1978)
Influential People
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