Ferdinand de Saussure was a Swiss linguist whose ideas laid the foundation for many developments in the study of language, particularly structuralism. His theory of the linguistic sign, which separates the 'signifier' from the 'signified', revolutionized the understanding of how meaning is constructed in language.

Ferdinand De Saussure

Ferdinand de Saussure

Swiss linguist

Foundation for developments in the study of language

Structuralism is an intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, emphasizing the idea that elements of human culture must be understood within the context of a larger, overarching system or structure. It is foundational in fields like linguistics, anthropology, and literary theory, focusing on the interrelationships between components rather than their individual characteristics.

structuralism

theory of the linguistic sign

A signifier is a fundamental component of semiotics, representing the physical form of a sign as perceived through the senses, such as a word, image, or sound. It is distinct from the 'signified', which is the mental concept or meaning that the signifier conveys, together forming a 'sign' as per Saussurean semiotic theory.

signifier

The 'signified' is a central concept in semiotics, referring to the mental concept or meaning that a sign represents. It is distinct from the 'signifier,' which is the form that the sign takes, such as a word, sound, or image.

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