Question

What does Saussure call the study of signs in society?

• A. Linguistics
• B. Semantics
• C. Semiology
• D. Pragmatics

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Semiology

• According to Ferdinand de Saussure, the study of signs in society is called semiology. 

• Saussure believed that semiology would be a science that examines the life of signs within a society, encompassing both verbal and non-verbal signs, and considered it a part of social psychology. 

Key points about semiology:

• Term: "Semiology" comes from the Greek word "semeîon" which means "sign". 

• Focus on signs: Semiology studies how signs function and create meaning within a social context. 

• Relationship to linguistics: Saussure saw linguistics as a branch of semiology, as language is one type of sign system