When I read the title of the assigned reading, initially I felt like it was going to be self-explanatory. However, from the first paragraph, my prediction proved to be wrong. Although it was a very detailed section on linguistics, it was extremely eye-opening. I have to admit, it was a little difficult to follow due to wordage, yet it was very thought-provoking.
The creation of linguistics is so interesting and something that I don't fully understand. In our everyday lives we use words that hold a meaning to us and the people around us, yet we rarely know the origin or backstory for the words themselves. De Saussure states that "the characteristic role of language with respect to thought is not to create a material phonic means for expressing ideas but to serve as a link between thought and sound, under conditions that of necessity bring about the reciprocal delimitations of units" (2012, 5-6). Instead of viewing language as a way to convey ideas, we should view it as the binding factor. "Linguistics then works in the borderland where the elements of sound and thought combine; their combination produces a form, not a substance" (De Saussure 2012, 6).
He continues to explain that linguistics serves as a link instead of a substance because not every sound represents an idea, and only that idea. There are many ways to convey ideas by using numerous words. De Saussure argues that the notion of value versus significance is completely different in the sense that words may have the same meanings but hold different purposes in different contexts.
The reading took the topic of linguistics and shed some light on a totally different way of thinking. It was a great way to start the semester by delving into a break down of the way we communicate every day.
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