Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913)

Ferdinand de Saussure was a Swiss linguist who revolutionized the study of language. He introduced the idea that language is a system of signs, where each word (or sign) has meaning through its relationship with other words, not just by its own name. He emphasized the distinction between "langue" (the structured system of language) and "parole" (individual speech). His work laid the foundation for modern linguistics and structuralism, highlighting that understanding language involves analyzing the structures and relationships within the system rather than just focusing on individual words or historical changes.