Maura Imel, Saussure

I remember first being introduced to semiology in CMC 100. We talked about common, universal signs which people all interpret the same. An example of a universal sign would be a stop sign. When we see an octagon, it is automatically associated with a stop sign. And when we see that actual stop sign we know to stop our car and make sure there is not something in our way. Ferdinand de Saussure points out, “The arbitrary nature of the sign explains in turn why the social fact alone can create a linguistic system. The community is necessary if values that owe their existence solely to usage and general acceptance are to be set up; by himself the individual is incapable of fixing a single value” (page 6). De Saussure’s point is that these signs build our communication within our community and establishes dialogue.

He later points out, “ The value of just any term is accordingly determined by its environment; it is impossible to fix even the value of the word signifying ‘sun’ without first considering its surroundings: in some languages it is not possible to say ‘sit in the sun’” (page 8). Taking this and the previous quote about the value of signs, one is able to understand that signs are a clarification of language for a particular community. Once you stray away from that community however, words and phrases are not universal. “In language there are only differences” (page 10). As I begin to try and grasp this concept, there are so many instances where I has been misinterpreted. Language is a constant struggle and interpretation is always involved. With the presence of signs, communication is elevated. De Saussure’s last point that really stuck with me was, “The important thing in the world is not the sound alone but the phonic differences that make it possible to distinguish this word from all others, for differences carry signification” (page 9).