* Langue: This refers to the abstract system of language, encompassing its rules, grammar, vocabulary, and overall structure. It's like the blueprint for a language. Langue is shared by all speakers of a language and remains relatively stable over time.
* Parole: This refers to actual speech, or the individual utterances and acts of communication made by speakers. Parole is variable and dynamic, constantly changing depending on the speaker, context, and situation.
Why this is important:
Saussure's distinction emphasizes that language is not just a collection of words, but a complex system of signs that are organized and related to each other. He focused on how these signs are arbitrarily linked to their meanings, meaning the connection is not inherent but learned through convention.
Key points to remember:
* Langue is the underlying system of language, while parole is its actual use.
* The relationship between langue and parole is crucial to understanding how meaning is created and communicated.
* The arbitrary nature of signs is fundamental to Saussure's theory and has had a lasting impact on linguistics and semiotics.
To clarify, Saussure did not propose a two-dimensional system of language. Instead, he developed a two-part system that distinguishes between the abstract structure of language (langue) and its individual use (parole).