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Ferdinand de Saussure Quotes

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Ferdinand de Saussure, born on November 26, 1857 in Geneva, Switzerland, and died on February 22, 1913. He was a Swiss linguist and the founder of structuralism in linguistics, regarded as one of the most important linguists of the 20th century.

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Famous Ferdinand de Saussure Quotes

“The ultimate law of language is, dare we say, that nothing can ever reside in a single term. This is a direct consequence of the fact that linguistic signs are unrelated to what they designate and that, therefore, 'a' cannot designate anything without the the aid of 'b' and vice versa, or, in other words, that both have value only by the difference between them.”

Facts Law Values Language Term Differences Consequence Direct Ultimate Vices Dare Aids Vice Versa

Author:Ferdinand de Saussure

“Language furnishes the best proof that a law accepted by a community is a thing that is tolerated and not a rule to which all freely consent.”

Law Language Community Communication Proof Accepted Consent

Book:Course in General Linguistics

Source: Course in General Linguistics

“Time changes all things; there is no reason why language should escape this universal law”

Should Reason Law Language All Things Universal Reason Why No Reason Universal Laws

Book:Course in General Linguistics

Source: Course in General Linguistics

“Linguistics will have to recognise laws operating universally in language, and in a strictly rational manner, separating general phenomena from those restricted to one branch of languages or another.”

Law Language Rational Branches Recognise Linguistics Separating Linguists

Author:Ferdinand de Saussure

About the Author

Born: November 26, 1857
Died: February 22, 1913
Known for: Author
Quotes: 29

Books & Sources

Course in General LinguisticsRelated source material

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