A linguistic system is a series of differences of sound combined with a series of differences of ideas...
Ferdinand De SaussureRead
It is one of the aims of linguistics to define itself, to recognise what belongs within its domain. In those cases where it relies upon psychology, it will do so indirectly, remaining independent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Linguistics seeks to understand its own boundaries and its relationship with psychology without becoming dependent on it.
Ferdinand De Saussure's quote highlights the goal of linguistics to delineate its own discipline, emphasizing the importance of understanding what constitutes its subject matter. He points out that while linguistics may draw upon psychological concepts, it maintains a distinct identity by engaging with these ideas indirectly, thus preserving its autonomy as a field of study.
Themes
LinguisticsPsychologyIndependenceDefinitionDiscipline
In practice
Example use cases
In an academic paper on the relationship between linguistics and psychology.
More from Ferdinand De Saussure
All quotes →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.
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Psychologically our thought-apart from its expression in words-is only a shapeless and indistinct mass.
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Any psychology of sign systems will be part of social psychology - that is to say, will be exclusively social; it will involve the same psychology as is applicable in the case of languages.
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Written forms obscure our view of language. They are not so much a garment as a disguise.
Ferdinand De SaussureRead
Speech has both an individual and a social side, and we cannot conceive of one without the other.
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