Introdução à Linguística - As dicotomias saussureanas

Summary

In this educational video, the lecturer introduces key concepts from Ferdinand de Saussure's linguistic theories. The focus is on the synchronic and diachronic axes, where synchronic analysis looks at language at a specific moment in time, while diachronic examines historical changes. The video also covers Saussure's ideas on the signifier and signified, language as a system of signs, and speech as individual use of language. The lecture explores the arbitrariness of signs, the linearity of language, and how linguistic elements are organized through paradigmatic and syntagmatic relations. The session concludes with examples of neologisms and the dynamic nature of language.

Takeaways

• 😀 Synchrony refers to studying language at a specific point in time, while diachrony examines language changes over time.
• 😀 Ferdinand de Saussure is considered the father of modern linguistics and is known for his work on the structure of language.
• 😀 Synchrony focuses on the system of language as it exists momentarily, analyzing language in the present or past as a fixed system.
• 😀 Diachrony looks at the evolution of language over time, studying how words and structures change across different historical periods.
• 😀 The syntagmatic axis deals with the linear arrangement of linguistic elements, where words and phrases follow one another in a sequence.
• 😀 The paradigmatic axis refers to the set of alternatives that can replace a specific element in a sentence, such as choosing 'gato' (cat) instead of 'gado' (cattle).
• 😀 Saussure’s concept of linguistic signs involves a relationship between the 'signifier' (sound or word) and the 'signified' (meaning), which is arbitrary.
• 😀 The arbitrariness of signs means that there is no inherent connection between the form of a word and its meaning, as shown in the example of 'cachorro' (dog).
• 😀 Language (langue) is a social system of signs shared by a community, whereas speech (parole) is the individual use of this system.
• 😀 Neologisms, such as words created by children or new slang, highlight the creative aspect of speech and how language evolves over time.
• 😀 Saussure’s theory emphasizes that the relationship between signifier and signified is arbitrary and that linguistic signs are part of a linear sequence in speech.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video lecture in this transcript?

The primary focus is on the study of linguistic dichotomies, specifically the concepts of 'synchrony' and 'diachrony' in the context of language analysis, as formulated by Ferdinand de Saussure.

How does the lecturer define 'synchrony' in linguistic studies?

Synchrony refers to the study of the language system at a specific moment in time, emphasizing the relationships between elements within a linguistic system, which can be examined in the present or the past.

What is the difference between synchrony and diachrony according to the lecture?

Synchrony studies language at a particular moment in time, focusing on the static, present state of a language system. In contrast, diachrony studies language through time, analyzing how language evolves and changes historically.

Why is synchronic study considered a priority over diachronic study in this video?

The synchronic study is prioritized because it provides a clear understanding of the language's current state, focusing on how language functions at a specific time, without the complexities introduced by historical changes.

What does the lecturer mean by 'the arbitrariness of the relationship between signifier and signified'?

Arbitrariness refers to the lack of a direct, inherent connection between a linguistic sign's form (signifier) and its meaning (signified). The association between them is socially and historically constructed.

What does 'diachronic study' focus on, and can you give an example mentioned in the lecture?

Diachronic study focuses on the historical development of language, examining how words, meanings, and structures change over time. An example provided is the evolution of the word 'Romaria,' which originally referred to a pilgrimage to Rome, but now refers to pilgrimages in different contexts, such as to Aparecida or Salvador.

What is the concept of the 'paradigmatic axis' as explained in the video?

The paradigmatic axis refers to a set of linguistic units or 'reservoirs' from which a speaker can choose alternatives. It highlights the relationship between linguistic choices that can be made within the same context, such as choosing between words that share similar meanings but differ in form.

How does the lecture describe the 'syntagmatic axis'?

The syntagmatic axis is the linear relationship between words in a sequence, where each element follows the other in a specific order. It emphasizes the sequential nature of language, where one element cannot appear simultaneously with another.

How are 'language' and 'speech' distinguished in the context of Saussure's theory?

Language ('langue') is viewed as a social system of signs, a collective structure shared by a community. In contrast, speech ('parole') is the individual, personal use of language, allowing for creativity and unique expression by each speaker.

What role does 'arbitrariness' play in understanding linguistic signs, according to the lecturer?

Arbitrariness underscores that there is no inherent reason why a specific form (such as a word or sound) is linked to a particular meaning. This relationship is socially constructed and varies across different linguistic communities.