Langue

Definition

Langue refers to the underlying system of language that governs how words and meanings function within a linguistic community. It's the abstract structure that enables communication and shapes the relationships between signs, emphasizing that language is a social phenomenon rather than just an individual act. This concept highlights the importance of conventions and rules in understanding how language operates in society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Langue was introduced by Ferdinand de Saussure as part of his theory of structural linguistics, where he emphasized that understanding language requires looking at its systemic nature.
2. The concept distinguishes between the social aspect of language (langue) and the individual expression (parole), underscoring that language exists as a shared code.
3. Langue is not concerned with individual variations in speech but rather with the rules and conventions that govern a language as a whole.
4. By focusing on langue, structuralism seeks to understand how meaning is produced through relationships and differences among signs within a linguistic system.
5. This concept laid the groundwork for later developments in literary theory and criticism, influencing how texts are interpreted based on their linguistic structures.

Review Questions

• How does the distinction between langue and parole enhance our understanding of language as a social construct?
  • The distinction between langue and parole highlights that language operates on two levels: as a structured system (langue) and as individual expression (parole). Understanding this difference shows that while individuals may produce unique utterances, these are always rooted in the shared conventions of a linguistic community. This perspective emphasizes that communication relies on collective understanding rather than just personal interpretation.
• Discuss the role of langue in shaping meaning within linguistic communities, providing examples of how this influences communication.
  • Langue plays a crucial role in shaping meaning because it establishes the rules and conventions that govern how words relate to one another within a community. For example, the meaning of a word like 'cat' is not just defined individually but is understood through its relationship with other words such as 'dog' or 'animal.' This interconnectedness allows for effective communication and understanding among speakers, demonstrating how meanings are not isolated but are produced through their positions within the larger linguistic system.
• Evaluate the impact of Saussure's concept of langue on contemporary literary theory and its interpretation practices.
  • Saussure's concept of langue has significantly impacted contemporary literary theory by encouraging critics to analyze texts through their structural elements rather than solely focusing on authorial intent or reader response. This shift has led to various interpretive practices, such as structuralism and post-structuralism, which explore how meaning is generated through language's systematic properties. By prioritizing the underlying structures of langue, critics can uncover deeper meanings in texts, highlighting how narratives and themes are shaped by linguistic conventions and relations.

Related terms

parole:

Parole is the actual use of language in concrete instances, representing individual speech acts or utterances, contrasting with the abstract system of langue.

signifier: The signifier is the physical form of a word or sign, such as its sound or written representation, which, together with its meaning (the signified), creates meaning in language.

semantics: Semantics is the study of meaning in language, exploring how words and phrases convey meaning within the structures provided by langue.