History of

Linguists
ANDRADA, KIANNA THERESE B. BSED - 2
ferd i n a n d d e
sau s s u r e
Ferdinand de Saussure is a Swiss
linguist. He worked for years in
linguistics and semiology. Semiology
is the study of the connotation of
symbols and signs. He came up with
the idea that every word has a
linguistic sign that consists of two
parts,

His main contribution to structuralism was his

theory of a two-tiered reality about
language. The first is the langue, the
abstract and invisible layer, while the
second, the parole, refers to the actual
speech that we hear in real life.
Edward Sapir
Edward Sapir was an American Jewish
anthropologist-linguist, who is widely
considered to be one of the most important
figures in the development of the discipline of
linguistics in the United States. Sapir was born
in German Pomerania, in what is now northern
Poland.
With the help of his student, Benjamin Whorf
came up with the concept of linguistic relativity.
This hypothesis depicts that the language that a
person speaks has a great impact on a person’s
lens of viewing the world. This view was rejected
by many modern-day linguists. However, it is still
an important topic that integrates language and
culture.
 Paul Grice
Herbert Paul Grice, universally known as Paul, was born
on March 13, 1913 in Birmingham, England and died on
August 28, 1988 in Berkeley CA. Grice received firsts in
classical honours moderation (1933) and literae
humaniores (1935) from Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

Paul Grice is one of the most renowned linguists of his time. He

introduced the concept of pragmatics. It is the study of how context
gives meaning to words. His best contribution is the emergence of
the cooperative principle. It articulates how people behave in
communications.
Noam Chomsky
Avram Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher,
cognitive scientist, historical essayist, social critic, and
political activist. Sometimes called "the father of modern
linguistics", Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic
philosophy and one of the founders of the field of cognitive
science.

Noam Chomsky's linguistic research in the 1950s

aimed to understand the tools and means
through which children acquire language. He
proposed a system of principles and parameters
that suggested a child's innate understanding of
syntax and semantics.
 David Crystal
David Crystal is a famous linguist from North Wales, but is
also known as a writer, editor, lecturer and broadcaster.
He was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1941. A
specialist in English language studies, David Crystal
published his first book in 1964.

In his books, he has explained technical

knowledge at an understandable and
accessible level. According to one of his
hypotheses, the English language will mix with
local languages, and it will not be
comprehensible. Therefore, there is a need for
standardizing spoken English.
 Conclusion
In conclusion, the primary objective of linguistics, like
that of all other academic fields, is to broaden our
knowledge and comprehension of the world. Since
language is universal and essential to all human
interactions, linguistics expertise has many real-world
uses. These well-known linguists are but a small sample
of the numerous pioneers in the discipline of linguistics.
We were able to comprehend the system of language
better thanks to the linguists stated above because
language is an essential component of human
connection.
 Conclusion
Because linguists employ the scientific method to
perform formal examinations of speech sounds and
gestures, grammatical structures, and meaning in the
more than 6,000 languages spoken worldwide, linguists
play an important role in society. Linguists look into how
linguistic information is acquired, how it interacts with
other mental processes, how it differs between speakers
and geographical regions, and how to computationally
represent this knowledge. With the aid of fieldwork and
literacy initiatives, linguists attempt to record, examine,
and conserve endangered languages.
 Conclusion
It is challenging to study linguistics. Beyond just
comprehending the nuances of many languages, this
information can be used to enhance interpersonal
communication, aid in translation projects, promote
literacy, and treat speech disorders.
References
https://www.ccjk.com/15-
famous-linguists-of-the-
world/
Thank You
SUBMITTED BY:
ANDRADA, KIANNA THERESE B.
SUBMITTED TO:
MR. GENESIS TAYANES, LPT