Reflections from Welby and de Saussure
In the “What is Meaning?” text by Welby, it is indeed interesting to read how the author describes the primary principles of the theory she put forward regarding the sign. As the reader begins chapter one, there is a sense of misunderstanding on the message she is trying to communicate. She notes, ‘it may be well briefly to summarise the line then taken’ (Welby 2). Although the reader may be lost at this very point, she introduces the term ‘significs,’ which brings meaning and sense into the first chapter. According to Lady Welby’s opinion, the theory of meaning is essential in explaining concepts. However, the approach she uses makes some of the passages difficult to understand. For example, she observes that ‘…we shall, for the first time, realise what meaning is and can be…” (Welby 5). Her approach is not direct, and unless a substantial portion of the passages is read, deriving meaning can be cumbersome.
In de Saussure’s “Course in General Linguistics,” the writer explores the link which exists between linguistic progression and spoken word or speech. The interesting part of his language theory is when the author states that “the linguistic sign unites, not a thing and a name, but a concept and a sound-image” (de Saussure 66). Indeed, the author clarifies that he does not refer to material sound, but rather a psychological imprint of the component of sound. However, when the author introduces the notion of designed systems of signs as a way of investigating language, the reader can be easily lost. He elaborates that a well-organized system of signs makes up a language. de Saussure is also emphatic that both thought and sound are linked together to construct a language. However, it becomes complex to comprehend how “interjections, closely related to onomatopoeia, can be attacked on the same grounds…” (de Saussure 69). Unless the reader appreciates the fact that ideas and sounds are closely related, the passage can be difficult to understand.