As a Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, Saussure’s “assimilation” grabbed my attention. Trekkies know this term well, thus, I refer to Star Trek for two reasons:
a.) First and foremost, Captain Picard’s superior intelligence is WAY sexier than Captain Kirk’s overactive libido.
2.) And probably far more applicable to Saussure’s theory is this: The Borg Collective, arch enemy of Picard’s individuality, expands and grows through assimilation, much like Saussure’s definition of language.
Saussure says language is developed by society as a whole, employing a collection of conventions adopted by the social body. It is then assimilated through speech into the mind of an individual. Dude, the Borg would totally love this concept. But geographical dialects, institutional influence, Ethnology? These would be surely be assimilated, stomped on and disregarded too. Speech? Sure, the Borg use it, but not because it is “an individual and wilful act.” I guess the Borg aren’t much for literary theory.
So, the question is posed: Can speech exist without language? Saussure thinks no, although the two certainly influence each other. But can language exist without speech? I think yes. – Who cares what Saussure thinks (although he said it first). I am an individual. I WILL NOT BE ASSIMILATED. I have spoken! – Speech, like sign language, is just an expression of ideas through signifiers. This certainly begs the question of whether we have a natural instinct to use vocal chords rather than our hands to communicate, although Saussure says that’s only a secondary consideration. Linguistics doesn’t deal with that. Linguistics deals with tracing ALL manifestations of human speech, and when it can’t be studied aurally, texts are used to uncover the history.
Sadly, as the Borg have departed from this theory, I too must go. But stay tuned! After a word from our sponsor, I’ll be right back to spout more ridiculisciousness. (<- There. I just influenced language, although technically this only happens if you assimilate the word into your own vocabulary and influence the societal whole.)
PS: The last time I visited Border’s, I noticed the staff’s new little ear thingies used to communicate with other employees. I asked the guy behind the counter if this was part of the Borg Collective. Rather irritated, he was sure to tell me, “No. I am perfectly capable of thinking on my own.”
The Borg never did have a sense of humor.
How ridiculiscious. 😉
When you asked the question if speech can exist without language I have to say that I agree with your views and Saussures. Since they most definitely influence each other, yet I feel that language can also exist without speech. Personally, I have to say that this article was very interesting to read and slowly part together. Also I found your comment regarding the Border’s employee’s ear piece very entertaining!
Kim, you are definitely an individual. I found the comparison to Star Trek refreshing, despite not knowing all that much about it except that Patrick Stewart was on it, and he was in X-Men. I’ve always loved his voice, he always sounds distinguished. Sassure would think I’m a crackpot, since he thinks speech is not as important as linguistics and semiotics. I understood the Sassure reading, I didn’t like all that much, but I understood it which is a plus. I guess I was able to understand it because it’s tangible and I could take a picture of it, which means, it’s real. Speech is fake or only good as long as it promotes sound-images, and makes one part of a community. My very important literary question: Do you think Sassure would have been into blogging? Resist assimilation!
Okay, so I started reading your blog, and I was like, “what, are you kidding me? Star Trek? a) I haven’t watched that show since I was eleven and was the only thing on after the 6 o’clock news(no cable at my house!) and b) what in the world can it have to do with Saussure and structuralism?!” http://www.thegoldenlink.org/2005/February/images/you-can-do-it.gif But, as usual, you did ‘it.’ [because I know that you like to know, “it”= assimilate (oh yes, you who will not be assimilated assimilates)the structuralism concepts Saussure presents and Star Trek plots into one clear, functional, and integrated reading of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, or something]Just ridiculiscious. ,
Hey Kim!
I realized I hadn’t commented on anyone’s posts from last week, so I thought I should do it now before I forgot again. I have to say first of all, that I think the Borg ship was awesome. This would be the inner nerd in me that watched Star Trek with my dad when I was like 7. Haha. I have to say that when I first read Sassure, I didn’t like him much, but I did understand some of what he was talking about. The whole “coin” concept we were discussing last week was one of those that did stick out for me. I really felt though, that having those groups and being able to digest what we read and discuss what it meant was very helpful for me. I also love the Borders reference from your post. I’m going to have to tell my dad about this whole thing. 🙂