A Study On Saussurean Linguistic Theory

To seek for universal force functional in all languages and sort out universality that characterizes any linguistic phenomena in history are the ambition of Ferdinand.de.Saussure as well as the research orientation for all linguistic endeavors.Unfortunately,with the diversification and complication of linguistic researches,the creed held dearly by Saussure has been reduced to a label ignored,and linguistics is being disfigured and going in the opposite direction set by Saussure.The significance of Saussurean theory can't be only understood as the revelation of some rules of language and a good comprehension of Saussurean thoughts shouldn't be reduced to a textual reading of his works merely.Factually speaking,the essence of Saussurean thoughts is his rationalization of linguistic generalities and his conception of linguistics.To inherit Saussure's legacy and develop his ideas is to realize the truth and limitations in his thoughts by critical thinking,which is the research orientation of the study.With Husserlean phenomenology being its theoretical background and Saussurean theory its guideline,the study aims to achieve the following two goals: First,to confirm scientificity and limitations of Saussure's theory by philosophical reflection so as to get a better understanding of language per se;Second,to venture a possible research paradigm for linguistics based on a critical review of biologism,empiricism and psychologism popular in linguistics.The study argues from the following four aspects:First,to analyze arbitrariness.Saussure put a high premium on arbitrariness and considered it the principal truism of language.However,his explanation of the principle is ambiguous and still remains a controversy in linguistics.To attribute the arbitrary bond between signifier and signified to psychological uniformity is the root of Saussure's illogical rationale.Signification does not refer to symbols only.It also involves intuition of idea.To reflect arbitrariness from signification means to stress the role of signified in the construction of signs.Seeing from the intentionality of nomination,intentional acts point directly to idea and in contrast the physical materials of signs only serve as a perceptible foundation.Intuitive idea bears no connexion with reality which only functions as a perceptible pivot only.The being of idea owes to the transcendence over perceptions.Without eidetic intuition,it is impossible for language to break away the shackle of the real world so as to refer to the world.Thus,it is implausible to say that the link between signifier and the signified is illogical and the application of signs is merely conventional.The truism of arbitrariness is a priori intentional signification.Second,to analyze linearity.The essence of linear principle is to demonstrate the interconnection between language and time consciousness.As for Saussure,linearity implies the systematicity of language.Though,Saussure sensed the connection between systematicity and time,he failed to understand that the connection virtually is the configuration of systematicity of objects by time consciousness.To equate linearity with language system is to emphasize the absolute significance of transcendental time consciousness in generating language system.In this sense,only by an analysis of linearity from the perspective of time consciousness,can psychologism inherent in Saussure's argumentation of linearity be overcome,and the systematicity of language appears.Third,to analyze sociality of language.The most innovative and vigorous idea of Saussure should be his comment that language is a conventional form consisting of pure difference,which also is the distinctive feature of structuralism.Saussure only defined sociality as compulsory form without further explication.Based on phenomenological intersubjectivity,any social conventions with language being no exception are compulsory due to the a priori intersubjective interactions.Only by social interactions,can ego realize identification and alienation of itself.What ego encounters in the world is not lifeless objects but life with consciousness,which implies the social interactions is the collision and fusion of different conscious behavior.This intermingling of consciousness guarantees the commonality of universal meanings of social interactions which outline the frontier for social life.As a result,sociality of language can be explained as imposed social conventions perfunctorily.In reality,sociality of language is an a priori contract reached by intersubjective interactions featuring intentionality.Forth,to venture a new paradigm of linguistic research.One of great contributions made by Saussure is to realize the transformation of paradigm of linguistic research.Research paradigm is of great significance for linguistics as it clarifies what and how should be studied.Despite that language and linguistics are attached more and more significance and linguistic theories mushroom day by day,the true being of language becomes more perplexing.This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that current linguistics has been fragmented and vulgarized.Undeniably,structuralistic linguistics together with generative linguistics and cognitive linguistics helps us better understand what language is from many an aspect and they differ from formulistic linguistic efforts completely due to that these linguistic orientations are based on serious meditations on language.So,a real breakthrough in cognition of the essence of language and linguistics lies in a breakthrough in research paradigms.This is why a phenomenological linguistics is attempted in the study.To make philosophy a vigorous science is held a credo by Edmond·Husserl.Likewise,to press for commonality of language is Saussure's aspiration of his linguistic enterprise.However,as the ever stronger influence of empiricism and pragmatism in scientific researches,the ideal held dearly by Husserl and Saussure is ignored or ridiculed as metaphysical nonsense.Facing up to the sterility of spiritual life nowadays,what language researchers should do is not to dissect language but to find the communion between language and spiritual world based on a serious reflection on consciousness.Only in this way,can we confidently say that a meager understanding of language is achieved.This is just the value this study aims to realize.