Saussure - Un Genevois international

Summary

The video traces the history of the de Saussure family, starting from 1550 with Antoine de Saussure, who fled religious persecution in Lorraine to Geneva, where he became friends with Jean Calvin. The family, which became aristocrats in Geneva, gained prominence in science. Ferdinand de Saussure, a linguist and descendant, initially studied poetry and ancient languages, eventually becoming a renowned linguist. His career faced challenges, including financial difficulties and conflicts with university reforms. After his death, his posthumously published work, *Course in General Linguistics*, cemented his legacy, greatly influencing 20th-century structuralism.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 The Saussure family, originally from Lorraine, fled to Geneva due to religious persecution and became part of the city's aristocracy.
• 🏔️ Horace-Bénédict de Saussure was known for his scientific accomplishments, including the conquest of Mont Blanc.
• 🎓 Ferdinand de Saussure, despite family expectations to pursue science, developed a passion for poetry and ancient languages.
• 🇩🇪 After failing a chemistry exam, Ferdinand was sent to Leipzig University in Germany, a center for linguistic studies, where he gained recognition as a great linguist.
• 📝 Ferdinand's doctoral thesis on vowel systems in Indo-European languages earned him early fame in the field of linguistics.
• 💸 Despite his success, Ferdinand faced financial difficulties and turned to poker to earn money, even though he lost much of it betting on horses.
• 🏛️ Ferdinand later returned to Geneva to teach Sanskrit and comparative linguistics, but he struggled with perfectionism, preventing him from publishing significant works.
• 🎙️ Ferdinand’s lectures on general linguistics in 1907 were highly demanding, attracting few students due to their rigor.
• 📜 Ferdinand became a central figure in a political battle at the University of Geneva when modernizing reforms were proposed, which clashed with traditional views on education.
• 📖 Ferdinand de Saussure’s posthumous work, *Course in General Linguistics*, became a foundational text for structuralism, particularly influential in mid-20th-century France.

Q & A

Who were the 'Sociaux' family mentioned in the transcript, and where did they originate from?

The 'Sociaux' family originated from Lorraine, France. They fled religious persecution in the mid-1500s and moved to Geneva, where they established themselves among the local aristocracy.

What is the significance of Antoine Sociaux's move to Geneva?

Antoine Sociaux became a friend of Jean Calvin, the leader of the Protestant Reformation. This connection highlights the family's integration into influential religious and intellectual circles in Geneva.

What role did Horace-Bénédict de Saussure play in the family’s history?

Horace-Bénédict de Saussure was a renowned scientist in the family, credited for the conquest of Mont Blanc. His achievements contributed to the family's reputation for scientific excellence.

How was education viewed within the Saussure family?

Education was considered essential in the Saussure family, with private tutors often employed to educate the children. The family emphasized classical studies, expecting their children to follow academic paths.

What was Ferdinand de Saussure's academic journey, and how did his family react to it?

Ferdinand de Saussure was initially expected to study science, but he was passionate about poetry and ancient languages. After failing a chemistry exam, his father allowed him to pursue linguistics at the University of Leipzig in Germany, which was a major center for language studies.

What notable work did Ferdinand de Saussure produce at the age of 21?

At the age of 21, Ferdinand de Saussure produced a significant work on the vowel system in Indo-European languages. This early contribution made him one of the most prominent linguists of the 19th century.

What challenges did Saussure face during his time in Paris?

While in Paris, Saussure struggled financially, especially since the family’s fortune had declined. He earned money by playing poker, where he won twice his professor's salary, though he also lost a significant portion at the horse races.

What was Saussure’s role at the University of Geneva, and how was he perceived as a professor?

Saussure became a professor of Sanskrit and comparative Indo-European linguistics at the University of Geneva, where he taught for 20 years. However, he was not a popular professor due to the difficulty of his courses, which required rigorous attention and effort.

How did Saussure's health and career come to an end?

Ferdinand de Saussure's health began to decline in 1912, forcing him to stop teaching. He died in February 1913, shortly after being the target of attacks by political opponents who saw him as an aristocratic, out-of-touch academic.

What was the posthumous impact of Saussure’s work, particularly the 'Course in General Linguistics'?

After his death, Saussure’s 'Course in General Linguistics' became a foundational text for structuralism, particularly in France during the 1950s and 1960s. Despite his struggles during life, his work gained international recognition and became a key influence in modern linguistics.