THE PRESENCE OF SAUSSURE IN THE THEORY OF ARGUMENTATION IN LANGUAGE BY OSWALD DUCROT

Abstract

The objective of the paper « The presence of Saussure in the Theory of Argumentation in Language » is to evaluate the connection between the theory created by Oswald Durot in the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paries, and the concepts of Ferdinand du Saussure. First, we discurss the importance of the Course in General Linguistics, despite difficulties within it, in presenvinv the ideas of Saussure, and the valuable contribution that it mnade to the develpment of not only language theories, but also to thye theories of human sciences duuring th 20th century. Among the most relevant concepts by Saussure, we highlight those of relation and value. The Theory of Argumentation in Language builds an interpretation of Saussurian linguistic value through the perspective of alterity, which is found in the dialogue The Sophist by Plato. Based on this notion, Ducrot, an expert in classical philosophy, develops his cconcept of argumentative value, showing how, through the relation between lexical entitied, it is possible to explain the meaning that are found in discourses. In view of this, meaning results from language, it is not the result of reference to reality. In conclusion, one question emerges. Does Ducrot transcent Saussure? We respond in the negative, considereing the fact that the work by Ducrot, though indebted to Saussure´s ideas, does not carry them on. Ducrot has produced a syntagmatic semantics of language.