Saussurean Linguistics

Saussurean linguistics, developed by Ferdinand de Saussure, views language as a system of signs where meaning arises from relationships rather than individual words. It distinguishes between 'langue' (the structured system of language) and 'parole' (actual speech). Key ideas include the idea that words gain meaning through their differences from other words, not by inherent qualities. This approach emphasizes that language is a social, shared system that evolves through patterns and relationships, highlighting how meaning depends on societal conventions and structures rather than isolated words.