The Saussurean Model

The Saussurean Model describes language as a system of signs composed of two parts: the "signifier" (the word or symbol) and the "signified" (the concept or meaning it represents). According to Ferdinand de Saussure, meaning arises from the relationship between these signs within a language system, not from any direct connection to reality. The model emphasizes that words only have meaning because of their differences from other words, creating a network of relationships that give language structure and coherence. This perspective highlights how language is a social, systematic tool for communication, shaped by shared conventions.