Saussure : signs, system and arbitrariness

Resource Information

The work Saussure : signs, system and arbitrariness represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Sydney Jones Library, University of Liverpool. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Saussure : signs, system and arbitrariness

Title remainder

signs, system and arbitrariness

Statement of responsibility

David Holdcroft

Creator

• Holdcroft, David

Subject

• Linguistics
• Saussure, Ferdinand de, 1857-1913
• Saussure, Ferdinand de, 1857-1913.

Language

eng

Summary

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. -- Publisher description

Cataloging source

UkCbUP

Index

index present

LC call number

P85.S18

LC item number

H6 1991

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Series statement

Modern European philosophy