Question

Saussure emphasized studying language as a:

• A. Historical phenomenon
• B. Social structure
• C. System of differences
• D. Biological process

Answer 1

Answer:

C. System of differences

According to Ferdinand de Saussure, language should be studied as a "system of differences," meaning that the meaning of a word is derived from its relationships with other words within the linguistic system, not from any inherent quality or fixed definition; essentially, a word's meaning is defined by how it differs from other words around it. 

Key points about Saussure's concept of language as a system of differences:

• Signifier and Signified:

  Saussure introduced the concept of the "linguistic sign" which consists of a "signifier" (the sound or written form of a word) and a "signified" (the concept it represents). 

• Arbitrary Nature of Signs:

  The connection between a signifier and a signified is arbitrary, meaning there is no inherent reason why a particular sound represents a specific concept. 

• Synchronic Analysis:

  Saussure emphasized studying language at a specific point in time (synchronic analysis) rather than focusing on its historical development (diachronic analysis).