The Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) has exerted a profound influence not only on twentieth century linguistics but on a whole range of disciplines within the humanities and social sciences. His central thesis was that the primary object in studying a language is the state of that language at a particular time--a so-called synchronic study. He went on to claim that a language state is a socially constituted system of signs that are quite arbitrary and that can only be defined in terms of their relationship within the system. This new perspective has changed the way people think about linguistics and has led to important attempts to apply structuralist ideas in anthropology, literary criticism, and philosophy. Professor Holdcroft's book expounds and elaborates Saussure's central ideas. It also offers a critical assessment of them, arguing that many of Saussure's claims are either questionable or have been misunderstood. The book will be read with profit by nonspecialists and could be used as a textbook by students of linguistics, philosophy of language, literary criticism and anthropology.
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Editorial Reviews
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"[Holdcroft's] book, which will disturb orthodox Saussureans and invigorate critical ones, deserves to become the lightning rod foor a new wave of Saussure commentary aimed both at upsetting and furthering its conclusions." Language
"A concise, clear and sophisticated critique of Saussure's thought, this small book should do much good." Times Literary Supplement
"A concise, clear and sophisticated critique of Saussure's thought, this small book should do much good." Times Literary Supplement
Book Description
The Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) has exerted a profound influence on a range of disciplines as well as twentieth century linguistics. His central ideas are expounded and elaborated upon in this work.
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First Sentence:
That the work of Saussure, a Swiss linguist, should be the subject of a book in a series called Modern European Thought should occasion little surprise, for his subject was one to which he made a seminal contribution. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
panchronic viewpoint, successive language states, differential entities, diachronic linguistics, double entity, synchronic identity, synchronic linguistics, reciprocal oppositions, relative arbitrariness, parasitic system, diachronic facts, phonic substance, syntagmatic relations, associative relations, differences without positive terms, semiological approach, acoustic image, other phonemes, chess analogy, distinction between langue, pure values, synchronic description, individualistic explanation, synchronic study, semiological system Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Morse Code, Linearity of the Signifier New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
That the work of Saussure, a Swiss linguist, should be the subject of a book in a series called Modern European Thought should occasion little surprise, for his subject was one to which he made a seminal contribution. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
panchronic viewpoint, successive language states, differential entities, diachronic linguistics, double entity, synchronic identity, synchronic linguistics, reciprocal oppositions, relative arbitrariness, parasitic system, diachronic facts, phonic substance, syntagmatic relations, associative relations, differences without positive terms, semiological approach, acoustic image, other phonemes, chess analogy, distinction between langue, pure values, synchronic description, individualistic explanation, synchronic study, semiological system Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Morse Code, Linearity of the Signifier New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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This book cites 35
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- Rules of Sociological Method by Emile Durkheim on page 144, page 145, and Back Matter
- Course in General Linguistics (Open Court Classics) by Ferdinand de Saussure in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- Ascent to Truth (Foundations of Communication) by Paul Gochet in Back Matter
- Structuralism: The Art of the Intelligible (Contemporary studies in philosophy and the human sciences) by Peter Caws in Back Matter
- Brentano and Intrinsic Value (Modern European Philosophy) by Roderick M. Chisholm in Front Matter
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- The Cambridge Companion to Saussure (Cambridge Companions) by Carol Sanders in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Fifty Key Contemporary Thinkers: From Structuralism to Postmodernity (Routledge Key Guides) by John Lechte on page 153
- Writings in General Linguistics by Ferdinand de Saussure in Back Matter
- Indexing Multimedia and Creative Works: The Problems of Meaning and Interpretation by Pauline Rafferty in Back Matter
- A Primer on Postmodernism by Stanley J. Grenz in Back Matter
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