Langue vs. Parole (Ferdinand de Saussure)

Ferdinand de Saussure's concepts of "langue" and "parole" differentiate parts of language. "Langue" refers to the structured system of language that a community shares—its rules, grammar, and vocabulary—like an underlying code everyone knows. "Parole," on the other hand, is individual speech—how people use language in everyday life, including their unique choices and expressions. Think of "langue" as the blueprint for a language, while "parole" is the actual speaking and writing that occurs within that system. This distinction helps analyze how language functions both as a structured system and as personal expression.