 It is an approach to literary analysis

grounded in structural linguistics, the

science of language.

S T R __ __ __ U __ __ L __ S M
 It is an approach to literary analysis
grounded in structural linguistics, the
science of language.

STR UCTURALISM
 It is a communication theory created
by Swiss linguist Ferdinand de
Saussure.

S T __ __ __ __ U R __ __
L __ __ G U I __ __ I C
 It is a communication theory created
by Swiss linguist Ferdinand de
Saussure.

STRUCTURAL
LINGUISTIC
 He is considered as the “father” of
structuralism.

F E __ __ I __ __ N D
__ E
S __ __ S S __ R E
 He is considered as the “father” of
structuralism.

FERDINAND
DE
SAUSSURE
 Saussure says that a linguistic sign is
a combination of a concept and a
sound- image.

C O __ __ __ P T
O __
__ __ G N
 Saussure says that a linguistic sign is
a combination of a concept and a
sound- image.

C O N C E PT
OF
SIGN
 According to de Saussure, it is refers to the
rules behind the way the language is arranged
while it is refers to the actual utterances of
language, both written and spoken.

P A __ O __ __
__ N D
L __ __ G U E
 According to de Saussure, it is refers to the
rules behind the way the language is arranged
while it is refers to the actual utterances of
language, both written and spoken.

PA R O L E
AND
LA N G U E
Structural Linguistics
At the end of this lesson, students are expected to:
1.Define the meaning of Structural Linguistics or Structuralism.
2.Explain the characteristics of Structural Systems.
3.Understand the structure of Language.
4.Analyze the four basic principles of Saussure.
 What is Structuralism?
 Structuralism is an approach to literary analysis grounded in structural
linguistics, the science of language.

 Structuralism offers a scientific view of how we achieve meaning not

only in literary works but also in every form of communication and
social behavior.
 Charles C. Fries (1887-1967)
 He developed programs in both theoretical and applied linguistics.

 The University’s English Language Institute (1941), which pioneered

methods and materials for teaching English to foreigners.

 Among of his many books are dictionaries of Early and Middle

English.
 Ferdinand de Saussure
 Ferdinand de Saussure considered as the “father” of structuralism.

 A Swiss linguist whose ideas laid a foundation for many significant

developments in linguistics in the 20th century.

 De Saussure was not satisfied with the historical comparison of language.

He stated that such comparison only answered where a language comes
from but not what language is.
 Characteristics of Structural Systems
 Wholeness- The system functions as a whole, not just as a collection of
independent parts.

 Transformation- The system is not static, but capable of change. New units
can enter the system, but when they do they’re governed by the rules of the
system.

 Self-regulation- You can add elements to the systems but you can’t change
its basic structure.
 Saussure’s ideas on linguistics
The Nature of the Linguistic Sign

 Language is based on a NAMING PROCESS, by which things

get associated with a word or a name.

 The linguistic SIGN (a key word) is made of the union of a

concept and a sound image. A more common way to define a
linguistic SIGN is that a SIGN is the combination of a
SIGNFIER and a SIGNIFIED.
 Characteristics of SIGN
 The sign, as union of a signifier and a signified has two main
characteristics. This principle dominates all ideas about the
structure of language. It makes it possible to separate the signifier
and signified or to change the relation between them.

 Second, the signifier exists in time and that time can be measured
as linear.
 The Structure of Language

 According to Saussure, all the languages are governed by their

own internal rules that do not mirrored or imitate the structure
of the world.
 Example:
 Phoneme- Speech sound that distinguishes one word from another.

 Grapheme- The written symbol that represents the phoneme’s

sound.

 Phonology- The study of the rules governing the meaningful units

of sounds in a linguistic system.
 Four Basic Principles of Saussure
1. Saussure stated that the meanings we give to words are arbitrary.

2. Saussure stated that the meanings of words are relational.

3. According to Saussure, there are no intrinsic or fixed meanings in

words.

4. According to Saussure, the language constitutes our world.

Evaluation:
1. What have you learned about the topic?
2. Who is Ferdinand de Saussure?
Prepared and Presented by:
De Villa Naiza L.
BSED English 1201