Editing Structuralism (section)

===Ferdinand de Saussure ===
The origins of structuralism are connected with the work of [[Ferdinand de Saussure]] on [[linguistics]] along with the linguistics of the [[Prague Linguistic Circle|Prague]] and [[Moscow linguistic circle|Moscow]] schools. In brief, Saussure's [[structural linguistics]] propounded three related concepts.<ref name="Blackburn">[[Simon Blackburn|Blackburn, Simon]], ed. 2008. "Structuralism." In ''[[Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy]]'' (2nd rev. ed.). Oxford: [[Oxford University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-19-954143-0}}. p. 353.</ref><ref>[[Ferdinand de Saussure|de Saussure, Ferdinand]]. 1916. ''[[Course in General Linguistics|Cours de linguistique generale]]'', published by [[Charles Bally|C. Bally]] and [[Albert Sechehaye|A. Sechehaye]]. Paris: Payot.</ref>
 
# Saussure argued for a distinction between ''[[Langue and parole|langue]]'' (an idealized abstraction of language) and ''parole'' (language as actually used in daily life). He argued that a "sign" is composed of a "signified" (''[[signifié]]'', i.e. an abstract concept or idea) and a "signifier" (''signifiant'', i.e. the perceived sound/visual image).
# Because different languages have different words to refer to the same objects or concepts, there is no intrinsic reason why a specific signifier is used to express a given concept or idea. It is thus "arbitrary."
# Signs gain their meaning from their relationships and contrasts with other signs. As he wrote, "in language, there are only differences 'without positive terms.{{'"}}<ref>[[Ferdinand de Saussure|de Saussure, Ferdinand]]. [1916] 1959. ''[[Course in General Linguistics]]'', translated by W. Baskin. New York: [[Philosophical Library]]. p. 120.</ref>