The Cambridge Companion to Saussure (Cambridge Companions)

This Companion offers an original new account of Ferdinand de Saussure, widely considered to be the founder of modern Linguistics as well as Structuralism. In addition to looking at his pioneering Course in General Linguistics, contributors consider his lesser-known early work, more recently-discovered manuscripts, and influence on other disciplines such as cultural studies, philosophy, literature and semiotics. With contributions by specialists in each field, this comprehensive guide creates a unique picture of the lasting importance of Saussure's thought. Ferdinand de Saussure is widely considered to be the founder of both modern linguistics and structuralism. The first to establish the structural study of language, he identified the difference between the system of language ('Langue') and the idiosyncratic speech of individuals ('Parole'), and was first to distinguish between the 'synchronic' study of language (language at a given time), and the 'diachronic' (language as it changes through time). This Companion brings together a team of leading scholars to offer a fresh new account of Saussure's work. As well as looking at his pioneering and renowned Course in General Linguistics of 1916, they consider his lesser-known early work, his more recently-discovered manuscripts, and his influence on a range of other disciplines, such as cultural studies, philosophy, literature and semiotics. With contributions by specialists in each field, this comprehensive and accessible guide creates a unique picture of the lasting importance of Saussure's thought Introduction: Saussure today......Page 1 Table of Contents......Page 5 Notes on contributors......Page 7 Acknowledgements......Page 11 List of abbreviations......Page 12 1 Saussure and Indo-European linguistics......Page 9 2 The Paris years......Page 30 3 The making of the Cours de linguistique générale......Page 47 4 The linguistic sign......Page 59 5 Langue and parole......Page 76 6 System, arbitrariness, value......Page 88 7 Saussure and American linguistics......Page 107 8 Saussure and structuralist linguistics in Europe......Page 124 9 The Russian critique of Saussure......Page 139 10 Saussure, Barthes and structuralism......Page 157 11 Saussure’s anagrams......Page 174 12 Saussure and Derrida......Page 186 13 Saussure’s unfinished semantics......Page 205 14 Saussure, linguistic theory and philosophy of science......Page 219 15 Saussure’s legacy in semiotics......Page 240 Notes......Page 261 Works by Saussure and further reading......Page 267 References......Page 273 Index......Page 298 Ferdinand de Saussure is widely considered to be the founder of both modern linguistics and structuralism. With contributions by leading specialists in each field, this comprehensive and accessible guide creates a unique picture of the lasting importance of Saussure's thought. With contributions by specialists in each field, this comprehensive and accessible guide creates a unique picture of the lasting importance of Ferdinand de Saussure's thought Edited By Carol Sanders. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 273-297) And Index.