索绪尔二元对立语言理论.doc

AbstractFerdinand de Saussure and his theory have profound influence in the development of modern linguistics, especially in the establishment of structuralism. The core of structuralism is binary opposition. On the basis of Saussures book Course in General Linguistics, this paper tries to investigate the pairs of binary opposition, including its history, and the application of it in Saussures theory such as langue and parole, the signifier and the signified and synchronic linguistics and diachronic linguistics. Key Words: Saussure; binary opposition; structuralismChapter I. Introduction Ferdinand de Saussure plays an important role in the development of modern linguistics. The linguistic theories and research methods raised in his work Course in General Linguistics formed the system and traditions of modern linguistics, which have profound influence in the linguistic field. In Saussures mind, language is a system of arbitary vocal symbols used for human communication. In his book, Saussure studies the language image and language roles with the method of binary opposition. This paper tries to expound the binary opposition method in Saussures linguistic theory, including the very beginning of its origin and its application. In addition, related studies and comments will also be discussed in the paper.Chapter II. Literature reviewAt the beginning, binary opposition appears as an important philosophical thought. Later, it is used by Saussure to demonstrate the linguistics rules. Because of Saussures promotion, it is widely used in many fields now. This chapter will illustrate the very beginning of the binary opposition and the pairs of binary opposition in Saussures theory.A. The origin of binary oppositionBinary opposition in the western philosophy can be traced back to the ancient greek time. A great amount of theories of Plato and Aristotle are based on the binary opposition thought, such as the material and the spiritual, existence and consciousness, form and content. After years of development, with joint efforts of Descartes, Rock, Rousseau, Voltaire and others, binary opposition has become an important method in modern western philosophy.B. Binary oppositions in Saussures linguistic theoryThe binary opposition theory in Saussures book is inheritance and development of western philosophy. In Saussures mind, language is a social phenomenon which is unique to human beings. Whats more, the study of language should use scientific methods just like the study of science. Therefore, he uses binary opposition and other scientific ways to study the linguistic. His famous binary oppositions include langue and parole, the signifier and the signified, and synchronic linguistics and diachronic linguistics.1. Langue and paroleScientific research should establish the object of study at the beginning. However, at Saussures time, language research still uses the historical comparison method. Then Saussure puts forward his view: other science could working after deciding the object, then other work can continue. In our field, things are different. (Saussure 9). Therefore, before Saussure decides the object of linguistic research, he distinguishes the two concepts of “langue” and “parole” first, then the object of “langue” is decided. Saussure believes that “langue” is the most important research object of linguistics (Daniele 322). He said, langue is the research object of linguistics and a systematic structure which is different from “parole”, a kind of personal conversation behavior (Saussure 137). Langue exists because of the universal agreement by all the members of the society. It is the most important part of the parole activities. Langue is also a symbolic system to express ideas (Wang 183). Whats more, langue is a kind of symbol in nature, a kind of mechanism existing in the human brain. Through these theories, Saussure defines the research object of linguistics, and began to use the scientific method to study other principles. He establishes the synchronic and the synchronic linguistics. In the synchronic mode, he uses the systematic method and binary opposition to determine disciplines of langue and parole. This disclosure provides a scientific method for the study of linguistics.2. The signifier and the signifiedThis is another important pair of binary opposition in Saussures book. Language is the combination of concept and sound rather than simply a combination of physical and name (Wang 183). In the symbol theory proposed by Saussure, the voice becomes the “signifier” part, and the concept becomes the “signified” part. In this pair of binary opposition, Saussure points out two principles: arbitrariness and line features.The signifier and the signified represent two categories in linguistic field. The signifier, with sound image as the element, represents a kind of reality, while the signified represents a possibility. It is worth noting that because of the infinite possibilities of the signified, the semiotics influenced by Saussure becomes and important theory in twentieth Century. Saussure believes that the history of linguistics belongs to semiotics. However, structuralism masters such as Roland Barthes believe that semiotics belongs to linguistics, which explains the giant influence of the symbol theory proposed by Saussure. It is clear to see that the definition of the signifier and signified has much influence in linguistics field, but the philosophy of binary opposition has much more influence for the later world far beyond the linguistics. 3. Synchronic linguistics and diachronic linguisticsSaussure also plays an important role in the division of the synchronic linguistics and diachronic linguistics. Before Saussure, the linguistics is comparative linguistics, which is the diachronic linguistics that study language through time (Liu 15). In his view, historical linguistics can not be called a true science, because its research content is composed by numerous individual words which are isolated. The whole view of language can only be shown by studying the system and analyzing the cross section of the synchronic (Wang 183). Contrary to the diachronic linguistics, the synchronic linguistics studies “the state of language at angy point in history (Liu 15)”.The division of synchronic linguistics and diachronic linguistics brings a new stage of language research (Wang 183). On the abandonment of traditional historical comparative linguistics, language research begins to focus on the structure of language study way, which develops into structuralism later. III. Related studiesSince binary opposition promoted by Saussure, it is widely used in many fields, especially in the literature analysis. Since binary oppostion is also the core of structuralism, binary opposition and structuralism then are widely used to analyze the textual meanings contained in the novels or poems. Unlike other authors directly use binary opposition to illustrate a particular text, Fang Hanquan points out the use of binary opposition in the literature field and says that the use of binary opposition both domestically and abroad receives good results (39). While Huang Xiongfa (119-121) focuses on the general use of binary opposition on poetry and novels. There are also scholars still focus on Saussures theory. Scholars such as Ye Nan and Shen Jianhua illustrate his principles and theories generally. While Wang Mingyu and Yu Xin (370) explain the inheritance and criticism of Saussures theory. Shen Jiexia illustrates the structuralism with the method of binary opposition (134-138). Yuan Xiaoyan, Yin Jingjing and Ye Nan discuss the binary opposition model in the western countries. Zhang Yibing discuss the structuralism in Saussures theory (1-5). IV. ConclusionSaussure is known as “the father of modern linguistics”. He builds up the general system for language study with the method of binary opposition, so that language learning is really become a science. His theories and findings benefit and influence generations of people. The concepts contained in his book such as the signifier, the signified, langue, parole, synchronic and diachronic are valuable by many research fields. After Saussure, the various schools of modern