Overview
Knowing Structural Linguistics
 Remarkable movement in linguistics.
 Courses in general linguistics: 1916
 Significant impact: understanding and
investigating language aspects.
 Language as system: a combination of
contrast/equivalence.
 The example of sheet of paper.
The Scope of Structural Linguistics
1- What is the issue of linguistic
investigation?
Determines the linguist task
Linguist should not focus on language
development over time.
2- What is the relationship between words
and things?
find out the relationship between
elements/items.
Identify the rules of combination
 Reading De Saussure:

The Main Contributions

The Signifier and The Signified

The Signifier The Signified

o The signifier is the sounds or o The signified is the actual concept
the letters used to denote what of the thing that comes to our mind
we are talking about. when we hear or see the signifier
Example: “Tree”
 The Main Contributions

Diachrony and Synchrony

Diachrony Synchrony
 Diachronic linguistics Synchronic linguistics
studies the changes that deals with language in a
occur to languages through particular point in time; it
time. does not trace the historical
development.
 The Main Contributions

Langue and Parole

Langue Parole
 The abstract system of  The executive side of langue.
principles out of which the act Parole is the physical and
of speech occur. concrete manifestation of
 langue is the shared linguistic langue. It occurs when anyone
knowledge. audibly voices letters, words,
sentences etc.
 The Main Contributions

Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic Relations

Syntagmatic Relation Paradigmatic Relation

 A horizontal relationship between  Vertical relationship between items
items and elements of the language that can replace one another.
system.  Paradigms are the oppositions and
 The term and element value alternatives.
depend on their relations from  That is the value of an element is
others that precede and follow based on contrast of the linguistic
them. elements.
 The cat sat on the mat
Paradigm

P l a y

Syntagm
 The cat
dog sat on the mat
Paradigm

baby

fish

Syntagm
I like all animals especially fish.
cplay

t
 Thank You
References
 De Saussure, F. (1959). Courses in General Linguitics. (W. Baskin, Trans.) New
York: Columbia University Press
 Ferdinard de Saussure and structural linguitics (n.d.). [Motion Picture].
 Lepschy. (1982). A Survay of Structural Linguistics. London.
 Matthews, P. (2003). A Short History of Structural Linguistics. New York:
Combridge University Press.
.

Prepared and Presented by: Rachid El AZAR

Yassine EL BAKHAT
Supervised by: Professor BENMHAMED