While born in Geneva, Switzerland, his work and influence on the field of linguistics are so significant that he is often credited as the founder of modern linguistics. His ideas, laid out in his posthumously published book *Course in General Linguistics*, revolutionized the way we understand language.
Here are some key contributions by Saussure that solidified his legacy:
* Structuralism: Saussure emphasized the importance of understanding language as a system of interconnected elements. He argued that the meaning of a word is determined by its relationship to other words within the system.
* Langue and Parole: He distinguished between the abstract system of language (langue) and individual speech acts (parole). This separation allowed linguists to analyze language as a system separate from its use.
* Signifier and Signified: Saussure introduced the concept of the sign, which is composed of a signifier (the word or sound) and a signified (the concept or idea). This concept is central to the study of how meaning is created in language.
Saussure's work had a profound impact on the development of linguistics in the 20th century and continues to influence the field today.