A core task of Saussure's Course in General Linguistics is to define the subject matter of general linguistics. To do this, a definition of 'language' is required. Saussure distinguishes between language ( la langue) and speech ( la parole) introducing his concept of the 'speech circuit' ( le circuit de la parole ).
The present study pursues three objectives in order to observe the development of the Saussurian concept of linguistics of speaking. The first objective is to demonstrate that Saussure, announcer of the linguistics of speaking was the theoretician of speaking as well as the theoretician of language.
Course in General Linguistics ( French: Cours de linguistique générale) is a book compiled by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye from notes on lectures given by historical-comparative linguist Ferdinand de Saussure at the University of Geneva between 1906 and 1911.
Saussure distinguishes between language ( la langue) and speech ( la parole) introducing his concept of the 'speech circuit' ( le circuit de la parole ). The speech circuit emerges when at least two persons (A and B in the picture) interact verbally.