The theory and methodology of early linguistics took the notion of structure as a key term and emphasized the idea that language needed to be organized. In the 70s, under the influence of pragmatics, language was no longer seen as an abstraction, but as a means of communication between people, and the primary purpose of language became the exchange of meaning. Since language essentially deals with naming of concepts, the importance of lexis replaced the role played by grammatical structure. The idea was that meaning is primarily carried by lexis, because focus on communication implies emphasis on lexis and decreased emphasis on structure.
In this paper, I will discuss the central ideas of Saussurean structuralism, in particular the notion of differential structure, then I will present the innovation brought in linguistics by Chomsky’s generative structure, namely the universal nature of language as opposed to Sassure’s idea about the uniqueness of language, and finally, I will analyze collocations in the light of these two structuralist theories.
This paper does not intend to show the differences and incompatibilities between the structural and lexical approaches, but the point of coincidence and agreement between the two, namely the way meaning is defined through difference under the exercise of choice.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. The Saussurean linguistic model
II.1. Structure and structuralism
II.2. The linguistic sign
II.3. Two – dimensional structure of language: syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes
II.4. Differential structure of language
III. Generative structure in Chomsky’s syntagmatic approach
III.1. Syntagmatic and paradigmatic approach in structural linguistics
III.2. Generative syntax
IV. Collocations
IV.1. Lexical collocations
IV.2. Grammatical collocations
V. Syntagmatic constraints and paradigmatic contrasts in collocations
VI. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to explore the interplay between Saussurean structuralism and Chomskyan generative syntax, specifically analyzing how meaning is constituted through the combination of words in collocations. It investigates how the differential nature of language and universal syntactic structures govern linguistic choices and the formation of lexical units.
- The role of Saussurean structuralism and the notion of differential structure in language.
- The function of Chomsky's generative grammar and Universal Grammar in sentence formation.
- A comparative analysis of the syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes in language.
- The classification and analysis of fixed and free collocations.
- The relationship between syntagmatic constraints and semantic choice.
Excerpt from the Book
II.1. Structure and structuralism
The founder of modern structural linguistics is Ferdinand de Saussure, the Swiss linguist of the early part of the century. The notion of structure is the central term, under which language as a functional system is understood in the light of communication. Saussure’s assumption is that if language were not structured, if the use of language were not determined by rules, then it would be difficult to establish how speakers of language could share the same meaning in communication. The main feature in structural linguistics is that meaning requires structure.
The notion of structure depicts the way in which individual elements are arranged in relations of mutual dependence. The relations between terms are prior to considering the terms individually.
Structuralism encompasses the theories and methods of structural linguistics. The main approach consists in considering the reciprocal relations of different facts rather than regarding them in isolation.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the shift from traditional grammatical focus to lexis and sets the goal of reconciling Saussurean structuralism with Chomskyan generative approaches via the study of collocations.
II. The Saussurean linguistic model: This section explores Ferdinand de Saussure's theories on structure, the linguistic sign, and the differentiation of language through syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes.
III. Generative structure in Chomsky’s syntagmatic approach: The chapter examines the transition to generative linguistics, focusing on universal grammar, syntax, and how these concepts provide a framework for language acquisition.
IV. Collocations: This part defines collocations as word groupings and differentiates between fixed and free types, highlighting how they function within the structuralist framework.
V. Syntagmatic constraints and paradigmatic contrasts in collocations: This chapter applies the previously discussed structural theories to concrete examples, illustrating how syntagmatic constraints and paradigmatic choices define meaning in collocations.
VI. Conclusions: The final chapter synthesizes the main findings, asserting that meaning is fundamentally differential and that language is best understood as a system of lexical units defined by these structural contrasts.
Keywords
Structuralism, Saussure, Chomsky, Generative Syntax, Collocations, Syntagmatic, Paradigmatic, Linguistic Sign, Semiology, Lexis, Universal Grammar, Meaning, Differential Structure, Syntactical Constraints, Language Acquisition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this publication?
The paper fundamentally explores the intersection of Saussurean structuralism and Chomsky's generative syntax to explain how meaning is generated within the language system, particularly through collocations.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The central themes include the differential nature of linguistic structure, the syntagmatic and paradigmatic organization of language, the universal aspects of syntax, and the classification of lexical versus grammatical collocations.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to demonstrate that meaning is defined through difference and choice, showing how these two major linguistic theories provide a cohesive understanding of how collocations function as lexical units.
Which scientific methodologies are employed?
The author uses a comparative structuralist analysis, applying Saussurean concepts of the sign and differentiation alongside Chomskyan principles of generative syntax and universal grammar to examine linguistic data.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the development of structuralism, the role of the linguistic sign, the application of syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes, a critique of generative structures, and a detailed analysis of how these theories explain the fixedness of various types of collocations.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Structuralism, Saussurean model, Chomskyan syntax, collocations, syntagmatic constraints, paradigmatic contrasts, and the differential nature of meaning.
How does the author define the "differential structure" of language?
The author defines it based on Saussure's principle that a word derives its identity and value solely by being distinct from other words within the system, meaning there are no positive terms before these differences are established.
What is the significance of the distinction between fixed and free collocations?
The distinction is significant because it highlights the varying degrees of syntactic freedom; more fixed collocations act like single lexical items, whereas free collocations allow for higher flexibility and therefore greater potential for conveying nuanced meaning.
- Quote paper
- Gabriela Bara (Author), 2005, Differential and Generative Structure of Language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/144329
