Structural Linguistics according to De Saussure: Intellectual Premises and Philosophical Backgrounds

Abstract

Structural Linguistics, pioneered by Ferdinand de Saussure, represents a fundamental shift in linguistic study, moving from historical and comparative analysis to a scientific, descriptive approach that examines language "in and for itself". This research employs a descriptive-analytical method to explore the intellectual premises and philosophical backgrounds of Saussurean linguistics. The study highlights Saussure’s revolutionary distinction between 'Langue' (the social system of language) and 'Parole' (the individual act of speech), emphasizing that language is a structured system of signs where the value of each element is determined by its relationship to others within the whole. Central to this framework is the 'Linguistic Sign,' characterized by the arbitrary relationship between the 'Signifier' (acoustic image) and the 'Signified' (concept). Saussure also introduced the duality of 'Synchronic' (static) and 'Diachronic' (evolutionary) studies, prioritizing the internal structure over external historical influences. The research concludes that Saussure’s work provided the epistemological foundation for modern linguistics and significantly influenced diverse fields such as literary criticism, philosophy, and psychology. By establishing linguistics as an autonomous science with rigorous methodologies, Saussure created a paradigm that remains a cornerstone of contemporary human sciences.