Ferdinand de Saussure : origin and development of his linguistic theory in western studies of language : a critical evaluation of Saussurean principles and their relevance to contemporary linguistic theories

453 Pages·1971·22.17 MB·English

by  Ernst Frideryk Konrad Koerner

F E R D I N A N D D E S A U S S U R E
DEYELOPPIENT
ORIGIN AND OF HIS LINGUISTIC THEORY
IN WESTERN STUDIES OF LANGUAGE.
A Critical Evaluation
of the Evolution of Saussurean Principles
and Their Relevance to Contemporary Linguistic Theories
by
Ernst Frideryk Konrad K O E R N E R
PhiZosophicm, Freie Universitzt Berlin, 1965
Staatsemnen, Justus Liebig Universitzt Giessen, 1968
Magister Artim, Justus Liebig Universitgt Giessen, 1968
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFImENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHIIDSOPHY
in General Linguistics
in the Department
0 f
Modern Languages
ERNST FRIDERYK KONRAD K 0 E R N E R 1971
S IMON FRAS ER UNIVERS I'N
December 1971
I
APPROVAL
Name : Erns t Fr ideryk Konrad Koerner
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Title of Thesis: Ferdinand de Saussure. Origin and development
of his linguistic theory in western studies of
language: A critical evaluation of Saussurean
principles and their relevance to contemporary
linguistic theories.
Examining C omrnit t ee:
Chairman: Neville J. Lincoln
Geoffrey L. Bursill-Hall
Senior Supervisor
Marguerite Saint-Jacques
Brian E. Newton
Dell H. Hymes
External Examiner
Professor
University of Pennsylvania
Date Approved:
I
ABSTRACT
The present study constitutes a contribution to general linguistic
theory and to the history of linguistics. The choice of Ferdinand de
Saussure as the central figure of the investigation is based on the
following traditional assumptions: 1) Saussure has been almost unani-
mously regarded as the founder of modern structural linguistics; 2)
his posthumous Corns de Zinguis tique g&&a Ze has generally been inter-
preted as a complete break with previous theories of language, in par-
ticular those of the Junggramatiker, and 3) modern linguists have
tended to regard his achievements as the creative act of a geniuslwho
was completely independent of the intellectual atmosphere of his time.
Since these views have been expressed in a l l histories of linguistics
up to the present date, and particularly because our own findings do not
confirm this, we have found sufficient reason to question the manner
in which the history of linguistics has been written.
Histories of linguistics 1) have been almost exclusively concerned
with relating ideas about language and its study in a merely chronolo-
gical manner (suggesting at the same time that contemporary ideas are
much more sophisticated, adequate, and naturally superior); 2) are
frequently based on earlier accounts relying heavily on secondary sources;
3) have regarded developments in linguistic thought almost completely
in isolation and have not taken into account their socio-political and
cultural background, and 4) have not to date seriously attempted to
construct a theory of how the history of linguistics should be written.
In view of the distorted picture of Saussure's position in the
history of linguistics and the inadequacy of the work of previous his-
torians of linguistics, the first part of our study attempts to illus-
trate, by restricting our attention to a specific period of time and a
particular cultural and historical area,the manner in which the account
of linguistic thought of the past should he presented. In this part
the concept of paradigm is introduced i.n the sense of intellectual
iii
/
atmosphere prevailing at a given time within a specific socio-political
and cultural setting. Linguistic thought reflects mutatis mutandis the
paradigm of its time and indeed we would argue that the history of
linguistics represents the history of ideas par exceZZence. Saussure's
ideas about the nature of language constitute an example of how the
paradigm of his time had an impact on his theory. While we deny that
Saussure was directly influenced by sociological, economic, psychological
or philosophical concepts of the 19th century, his argument reveals
that he belonged to the paradigm of the late 19th century and the turn
of this century; his most immediate sources of inspiration were the
Zinguistic studies of his own time.
After having outlined, in the first part, how Saussureqs linguistic
thought evolved from the paradigm of his t h e and also the way in which
he surpassedhis predecessors and contemporaries by creating a new frame
/'
of reference within which linguistics should operate, the second part
devotes particular attention to the manner in which subsequent generations
J/ ,of linguists have succeeded or failed to work out the proposals laid
down In the Cows. After an analysis of the four main aspects of Saus-
sure's theory, i.e . 1) the distinctions between Zangue and parole, V
2) synchrony and diachrony, 3) syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations
and 4) hislideas about the semiological nature of language, in the light
of 20th-century developsr~ents, we have concluded that the new paradigm
put forward by Saussure has not yet been welded into an overall general
theory of language as envisaged by Saussure some fifty years ago.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
d like to take the opportunity of expressing my gratitude
and indebtedness towards the following persons and institutions:
Firstly, I wish to thank the Government of Canada, represented by the
Canada Council in Ottawa, for its financial support during the years
1968 to 1971 which enabled me to concentrate most of my efforts on
research work and completion of my dissertation. Secondly, and this
has certainly not been of less importance to me, though my indebtedness
cannot be expressed in material terms, I wish to express my sincerest
gratitude to my senior supervisor, Professor G. L. Bursill-Hall, for.
his continued interest in my work, his encouragement at various stages
of its writing, and particularly for his careful, critical, and always
very helpful supervision.
Last but not least two persons deserve to be mentioned whose assis-
tance has been very valuable to me: Mrs. Hilary Jones who helped me in
proof-reading and suggested many stylistic improvements, and Mrs. Heather
Troche who prepared the final draft of the manuscript with great care.
It goes without saying that the remaining weaknesses of the thesis are
all my own responsibility.
Vancouver, November 8th, 19 71 E. F. K. Koerner
,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
. . . . . . .
MASTER LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS OF PERIODICALS AND SERIES x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS FOR FESTSCHRIFTEN, COLLECTIONS OF ARTICLES
BY VARIOUS AUTHORS, AND PROCEEDINGS OF LINGUISTIC AND OTHEP,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RELEVANT CONGRESSES OR CONFERENCES xxviii
. . . . . . . .
FURTHER ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGLA USED IN THIS STUDY xxxvii
. . . .
0.0 INTRODUCTION: Outline of the Goal of the Investigation 1
. .
1.0 F. DE SAUSSURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS LINGUISTIC THEORY 20
. . . . . . . .
1.1 A Biographical ~ke'tc'ho n Ferdinand de Saussure 20
. . . .
1.2 The Intellectual Paradigm of Saussure's Formative Years 37
. . .
1.2.1 The Question of Extra-Linguistic Influences on Saussure 37
1.2.1.1 Durkheimfs Principles of Sociology, Tarde's Sociological
and Economic Theories, and Saussurefs Alleged Sociologism 45
1.2.1.2 Walrasf Theories of Political Economy and the Saussurean
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conceptofvalue 67
. . . . . . .
1.3 The Question of Linguistic Influences on Saussure 72
1.3.1 Whitney and His Consideration of General Linguistic Problems 74
1.3.2 Neogramnarian Tenets concerning the Principles of Language
. . . . . . .
(with special reference to Paul and Sievers) 101
1.3.2.1 The Position of the Neogrammarians in Contemporary Histories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ofLinguistics 101
vii
Page
. . . . .
1.3.2.2 Hermann Paul and His p&inciples of Language Study 107
1.3.2.2.1 Paul 's Distinction between Descriptive and HistoricaZ
. . . . -.
Linguistics, and the Aspect of Language State 108
. . . . . .
1.3.2.2.2 Language Usage versus Individual Expression 113
. . . . . .' . .
1.3.2.2.3 Formal and Material Connections of Words 116
. . . . . .
1.3.2.3 Eduard Sievers and His Principles of Phonetics 125
1.3.3 Baudouin de Courtenay, Kruszewski, and Their Ideas about
Language Study in General and Their Theories of Phonological
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Analysis in Particular 133
1.3.3.1 Saussure's Acquaintance with the work of the 'Kazan Schoolt,
and the Importance of His Earlier Work on Baudouin de
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtenay and Kruszewski 133
1.3.3.2 J. Baudouin de Courtenay and His Ideas concerning the
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investigation of Language 138
. . . . . . . . .
1.3.3.3 Miko3aj Kruszewski's Linguistic Theories 148
.
1.3.4 The Humboldtian Tradition in Nineteenth Century Linguistics 166
1.3.4.1 A Brief Survey of Humboldtian Trends at the Turn of the
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Century 166
1.3.4.2 Georg von der Gabelentz and His Suggestions concerning the
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Generalstudy of Language 174
2.3.4.2.1 GabeZentz 's Limited Recognition in the History of
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Linguistics. 174
. . . . . .
2.3.4.2.2 Gabelentz's Principles of General Linguistics 176
1.3.4.3 F. N. Finck and Some General Considerations concerning
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Language Description 195
. . .
1.4 Concluding Remarks on the First Part of the Investigation 202
viii
Page
2.0 THE EVOLUTION OF SAUSSUREAN PRINCIPLES AND THEIR RELEVANCE
. . . . . . . . . . . .
TO CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF LANGUAGE 210
2.1 The Compilation of the Corns and the Problems of Interpretation 213
2.2 Discussion of the Fundamental Concepts of Saussure's Linguistic
. . . . . . . . .
Theory and Their Post-Saussurean Evolution 223
2.2.1 The Distinction between Langue and paroze, and Its Relation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
to Zangage. 224
2.2.1.1 Prec-ursors of the Zangue/paroZe Dichotow or the Langue/
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
paroze/Zangage Trichotow 224
2.2.1.2 The Development and Place of the Zangue/ptrrole/Zangage
. . . . . .
Distinction in Saussure's Theory of Language 228
2.2.1.3 Post-Saussurean Developments of the Concepts of Zangue,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
parole, and Zangage 243
2.2.2 The Dichotomy of Synchrony versus Diachrony in Language
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Description 263
2.2.2.1 A Brief Survey of the ?re-Saussurean Distinction between
. . . . . . . . . . .
Descriptive and Historical Grammar 263
2.2.2.2 The Izterpretation of Saussure's Distinction bet~een
. . . . . . . . .
Synchronic and Ciachronic Linguistics 284
2.2.2.3 Post-Sams=ean Discussions of the Distinction between
. . . . . . . . .
Synchrony and Diachrcny in Linflistics 295
. . . .
2.2.3 The Concept of the Language Sign and Related Notions 311
2.2.3.1 The 0,ue;tion of the Sources of SaussureTsS emiological
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theory 312
ix
Page
I
2.2.3.2 Sawsurels Theory of the Language Sign and the
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Semiological Nature of Language
. . .
2.2.3.3 Post-Saussurean Developments in Semiological Theory
2.2.4 Language as a System of Relations: the rapprts syntapcz-
. . . . . . . .
tiques et associatifs and Kindred Notions
2.2.4.1 Trzditional Ideas about the Systenatic Nature of Language
2.2.4.2 Saussurels Suggestions concerning the Systematic Netwe
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of Languag c
2.2.4.3 Post-Saussurean Developments of the Nature of Language
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
as a Systemof Relations 369
. . . .
2.3 Concluding Remarks on the Second Part of the Inquiry 378
3.0 CONCLUSION: Saussure's COWS and the State of Linguistic
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Science 389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MASTER LIST OF REFERENCES 402
AbhandZungen der (Preussischen) Akademie der Wissen-
schaften. Philosophisch-historische Klasse. Berlin
1804-1907.
.
AES Archives Europzennes de Socio Zogie Paris 196 O-
fiir
AfdA Anzeiger deutsches Altertwn und deutsche (Lit(t)-
eratur. Leipzig, later on Berlin & Wiesbaden 1876- ;
supplement -to -- -+ ZfdA.
Af GPhon Archiv f21r die gesamte Phonetik. Berlin 1937-1943144;
supersedes Vox. This journal consisted of two
parallel publications : I. Archiv fiir vergleichende
.
Phonetik (s ---+ AfVPhon) , and 11. Archiv fiir
Sprach- und Stimmphysiologie und Sprach- und Stim-
. .
heilkunde. Berlin 1937-42 [= 6 vols ]
Archiv filr vergleichende Phonetik. Berlin 193 7-44
[= 7 vols .I. superseded by ---+ ZPhon. [S. also ----+
.
A fGPhon ]
AGI Archivio GZottoZogico ItaZiano. Torins~irenze-
Roma 1873-
AKAWB see ---t A(P)AWB
AION- L Annuli deZZ 'Institute (Universitario) OrientaZe.
Sezione Linguistica. Napoli 1958-
AJPh = AJP The American JoumZ of PhiZoZogy. Baltimore, Md.
1880-
AJut Zandica Acta Jutlandica. Aarskrift for Aarhus Universitet.
Aarhus & Kbbenhavn 1929-
*
Wherever possible the abbreviations employed in this list fo.l lo.w
those of the Bib Ziographie Zinguistique de Z 'anne'e 19 68 comp. by J J
~e~1smi.(tU trecht & Antwerp: Spectrum, 1970), pp. xv ff.