3.2 Saussure and Linguistic Structuralism
3 min read•july 22, 2024
Saussurean linguistics revolutionized our understanding of language. It introduced the concept of linguistic signs, consisting of signifiers and signifieds, and emphasized the arbitrary nature of their relationship. This laid the foundation for structuralist approaches to language and meaning.
Structuralist literary theory applied Saussure's ideas to literature. It analyzed texts as systems of signs, focusing on relationships between elements and underlying structures. This approach shifted attention from authorial intent to the text's internal organization and the reader's role in creating meaning.
Saussurean Linguistics
Components of linguistic signs
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- Linguistic sign fundamental unit of language consists of two inseparable components: and
- Signifier form or sound-image of linguistic sign material aspect (spoken or written word)
- Signified concept or meaning associated with signifier mental representation or idea signifier refers to
- Relationship between signifier and signified arbitrary no inherent or natural connection between form and meaning (words "dog" and "chien" refer to same animal in English and French)
Principles of linguistic structuralism
- Language defined by relations to one another signs acquire value through differences and oppositions within system
- Arbitrary nature of linguistic sign connection between signifier and signified not motivated by natural or inherent link different languages have different signifiers for same signified (words "tree," "arbre," and "Baum" in English, French, and German)
- Relational value of linguistic elements meaning of sign determined by relationship to other signs in system signs defined by differences and oppositions rather than positive content (word "cat" defined by contrast with "dog," "bird," etc.)
- Language system should be studied as static, self-contained system at given point in time changes (historical developments) secondary to synchronic structure
Structuralist Literary Theory
Saussurean analysis in literature
- Literary texts analyzed as systems of signs elements of text (words, characters, themes) treated as signs with signifiers and signifieds
- Meaning of literary text emerges from relationships and oppositions between elements characters, themes, and motifs defined by differences and contrasts within text's structure (protagonist vs. antagonist, good vs. evil)
- Underlying structure of text more important than surface meaning structuralist analysis seeks to uncover deep, underlying patterns and relationships that generate meaning
- Binary oppositions key tool in structuralist literary analysis texts often organized around fundamental binary oppositions (life/death, nature/culture) oppositions help structure text and generate meaning
Saussure's influence on structuralism
- Saussure's linguistic structuralism provided model for analyzing other cultural systems, including literature principles of linguistic sign and relational value of elements applied to literary texts
- Structuralist literary theorists aimed to uncover underlying structures and patterns that govern production of meaning in texts focused on system of text rather than historical or authorial context
- Key figures in structuralist literary theory (Roland Barthes, ) adapted Saussurean concepts to analysis of literature Barthes applied notion of linguistic sign to theory of "readerly" and "writerly" text Lévi-Strauss used principles of linguistic structuralism to analyze underlying structures of myths and folktales
- Structuralist literary theory emphasized autonomy of text and role of reader in production of meaning author's intention and historical context considered less important than internal structure of text and reader's interaction with it
Key Terms to Review (12)
Arbitrary Nature of the Sign: The arbitrary nature of the sign refers to the concept that the relationship between the signifier (the form of a word or expression) and the signified (the concept it represents) is not inherently connected. This idea emphasizes that meanings are assigned through social conventions rather than any natural link, making language a system of signs reliant on collective agreement rather than a direct correspondence to reality. This principle is foundational in understanding linguistic structuralism as proposed by Saussure.
Binary opposition: Binary opposition refers to a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning, often used to structure human thought and language. This concept suggests that our understanding of the world is often framed through contrasts, such as light/dark, good/evil, and male/female. The idea plays a crucial role in how meaning is created and understood in various forms of discourse, particularly in structuralist thought.
Claude Lévi-Strauss: Claude Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist and ethnologist known for his work in structuralism, particularly in understanding the underlying structures of human thought and culture. His ideas emphasize how various cultural phenomena, including myths and kinship systems, can be analyzed through a structuralist lens that reveals universal patterns and relationships, connecting directly to the linguistic theories of Saussure and foundational concepts of structuralism.
Deconstruction: Deconstruction is a critical approach that seeks to dismantle and analyze the underlying assumptions, contradictions, and meanings within texts, highlighting the instability of language and meaning. It challenges the idea of fixed interpretations, suggesting that meaning is fluid and can change depending on context and perspective. This perspective connects with various aspects of literary theory, especially in understanding how texts interact with history, culture, and other texts.
Diachronic: Diachronic refers to the study of phenomena, particularly in language and literature, across different periods of time. It examines how meaning, structure, and usage evolve, emphasizing historical development rather than synchronic analysis, which focuses on a specific moment. This perspective is crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of language and its relationship to culture and society.
Intertextuality: Intertextuality refers to the way that texts (literary or otherwise) are interconnected and how they influence and shape one another through references, quotations, or allusions. This concept highlights that no text exists in isolation, as each piece of writing is part of a larger network of cultural and literary discourse.
Post-Structuralism: Post-structuralism is a literary theory that emerged in the mid-20th century, challenging the assumptions of structuralism by emphasizing the instability of meaning and the complexity of texts. It critiques the idea that texts have a fixed meaning, proposing instead that interpretation is influenced by context, reader experience, and the interplay of language and culture.
Roman Jakobson: Roman Jakobson was a key figure in the development of structural linguistics and literary theory, best known for his contributions to Russian Formalism and the field of semiotics. His work emphasized the relationship between language and meaning, and he introduced critical concepts like the functions of language, which greatly influenced how we understand texts and their interpretations.
Signified: The signified is the concept or idea that a sign refers to in the process of communication, forming a crucial part of the semiotic relationship alongside the signifier. Understanding the signified helps in grasping how meaning is constructed within language and literature, illuminating how various texts create layers of interpretation through their use of symbols and signs.
Signifier: A signifier is the form that a sign takes, which can include sounds, words, images, or symbols that convey meaning. It acts as a marker or representation of a concept (the signified) within a system of signs, playing a crucial role in how we interpret and understand language and literature. Understanding the relationship between signifier and signified is key to exploring the deeper structures of meaning in texts.
Synchronic: Synchronic refers to the study of a language or system at a specific point in time, without considering its historical development. This approach emphasizes understanding the structure and function of language elements as they exist together in a moment, allowing for analysis of relationships and meanings that emerge within that fixed context.
System of signs: A system of signs refers to the way in which meanings are constructed and communicated through a network of symbols, where each sign consists of a signifier (the form a sign takes) and a signified (the concept it represents). This concept is central to understanding how language operates as a structured system, where signs gain meaning through their relationships with one another rather than through any intrinsic quality. It highlights the importance of context and cultural conventions in shaping meaning.