While Saussure himself did not specifically use the term "phonology," his work laid the foundation for its development. His key contributions include:
* The concept of the linguistic sign: Saussure argued that language is composed of signs, each with a signified (concept) and a signifier (sound). This understanding was crucial for understanding how sound relates to meaning.
* Distinction between langue and parole: Saussure separated the abstract system of language (langue) from its actual use (parole). This distinction helped to focus attention on the underlying system of sound patterns, which became the basis for phonology.
However, it's important to note that other scholars also contributed significantly to the development of phonology. Some of them include:
* Leonard Bloomfield: He introduced the concept of the phoneme, the smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning.
* Roman Jakobson: His work on distinctive features and the analysis of sound changes greatly influenced the development of phonological theory.
* Noam Chomsky: His generative grammar framework provided a theoretical basis for understanding how phonological rules work.
While Saussure's work is foundational, the field of phonology has evolved through the contributions of many linguists. It's more accurate to say that phonology developed through a collaborative effort rather than being solely attributed to one individual.