SAUSSURE’S THEORETICAL INTERVAL AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Abstract

This article presents a reflection of Ferdinand de Saussure’s (1857-1913) production, in the last decade of the 19th century. Two letters, written by the Genevian author, constitute the historical scenario which shows the studies of langage at that time, in addition to Saussure’s individual position in relation to his theoretical production. These letters were written to the French linguists Meillet and Havet and cover, in Saussure’s own words, the problems of Linguistics of his time, as well as his purpose in relation to them. Next, it is presented three of Saussure’s manuscripts written in the late 19th century: Trois premières conférences à l’Université (cours d’ouverture, nov. 1891), Notes sur l’accentuation lituanienne and Essence double du language, and also it is analyzed some excerpts of this last manuscript so that it is evidenced the theoretical course of the linguist. The analysis demonstrates a productive theoretical formulation that starts from a question of linguistics identity, goes through the form of the langue issues, as well as it explores the negative nature of the linguistics elements making considerations that allow us to think of the linguistics sign arbitrariness. The comparison between the epistles and Ferdinand de Saussure’s theoretical production allowed a reflection on the Genevian production, in the last decade of 1890, and the finding that it was highly productive leaving the posterity theoretical principles that were essential to the langue’s scholars.