D-17_Princípios gerais da linguística PGM 1

Summary

This transcript explores the evolution of linguistics as a field of study, tracing its roots from early reflections on language to its establishment as an autonomous science in the 20th century. It highlights Ferdinand de Saussure's groundbreaking work, which laid the foundations for modern linguistics, particularly his distinction between 'langue' (the mental system of language) and 'parole' (individual speech). Saussure's approach emphasizes language as a system of signs, where meaning is defined by relationships between elements. His theories revolutionized linguistic thought, shifting focus from historical linguistics to the structural study of language systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Linguistics is a relatively new academic discipline, emerging in the early 20th century as an autonomous field of study focused on natural languages.
• 😀 The history of linguistics as a field of knowledge dates back much earlier, originating from human reflection on language itself and the languages of others.
• 😀 Human language manifests itself through natural languages and other forms of communication such as cinema, theater, and comics.
• 😀 Ferdinand de Saussure is credited with shaping modern linguistics, emphasizing that linguistics should be an independent science separate from sociology or psychology.
• 😀 Saussure's key contribution was the development of the 'Course in General Linguistics,' a work shaped by notes taken by his students, which became foundational for 20th-century linguistic theory.
• 😀 Saussure proposed that the object of linguistics is the unconscious linguistic system in the human brain (langue), distinct from the individual expressions or speech acts (parole).
• 😀 Linguistics is concerned with the study of language from a synchronic (contemporary) perspective, as opposed to the diachronic (historical) view.
• 😀 The relationship between the signifier (sound) and the signified (concept) is fundamental to understanding language as a system of signs.
• 😀 Language is complex and heterogeneous, and the linguist's task is to define the perspective from which to study it in a scientific way, emphasizing the need for a systematic approach.
• 😀 Saussure's metaphor of chess illustrates how the linguistic system is relational: even if individual elements change, the system remains functional as long as the relationships between elements are preserved.

Q & A

What is the primary object of study in linguistics as described in the script?

The primary object of study in linguistics is natural languages, which emerge spontaneously as a means of social communication.

How does the script distinguish between 'long' and 'parol' in linguistics?

'Long' refers to the unconscious system present in the brain of individuals, while 'parol' represents the actual spoken language, which is subject to variability and individual differences.

What role does Ferdinand de Saussure play in the development of contemporary linguistics?

Ferdinand de Saussure is credited with laying the foundation for contemporary linguistics by introducing key concepts such as the need for a distinct science of language and the distinction between the linguistic system and its actual use.

What was the impact of Saussure's 'Course in General Linguistics' on the field of linguistics?

Saussure's 'Course in General Linguistics' had a profound impact on linguistics by shaping the study of language as a scientific discipline and influencing structuralist approaches, despite Saussure not writing the text himself.

What does Saussure mean by saying language is 'heteroclite'?

By calling language 'heteroclite,' Saussure refers to the complex, heterogeneous nature of language, which consists of varied and not always homogeneous elements.

What is the 'synchronic' view of language, and how does it differ from the 'diachronic' perspective?

The 'synchronic' view of language focuses on understanding the language system at a specific point in time, while the 'diachronic' perspective examines the historical evolution of language over time.

What is the role of signs in Saussure's theory of linguistics?

In Saussure's theory, signs are entities with two components: the 'signifier' (the sound or form) and the 'signified' (the concept or meaning). These signs exist within a system of relations, which makes the study of language relational rather than isolated.

How does Saussure's metaphor of the chess game illustrate the concept of language as a system of signs?

The chess game metaphor illustrates that the language system is defined by the relationships between its elements, not by the physical properties of the individual elements. Changing the material form of a piece does not change the game, but altering the number of pieces changes the game's structure.

Why did Saussure's students contribute to the 'Course in General Linguistics' instead of him writing it himself?

Saussure's students contributed to the 'Course in General Linguistics' because Saussure never organized or wrote the text himself, possibly due to the ongoing development of his ideas, his untimely death, or his uncertainty about his theories at the time.

What does Saussure mean by the idea that language is like a sheet of paper, where thought and sound cannot be separated?

Saussure compares language to a sheet of paper to emphasize that thought (concept) and sound (phonetic form) are inseparable. Just as one cannot separate the two sides of a sheet of paper, the concept and the sound in language are always intertwined.