Original scientific paper
Language Differentiation in Croatian Linguistics in the Light of de Saussureʼs Structuralist Theory
Igor Ivašković
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to discuss the issue of arbitrariness in the context of language
differentiation criteria. In the first part, the author summarizes the structuralist view of language
and, in the context of de Saussure's theory, critically analyzes certain interpretations
in Croatian linguistics, which are essential for distinguishing languages. The author argues
that language is always a product of society, and, at the same time, a society without history,
nationality, religion and other cultural and political elements does not exist. In the context
of determining the differences between languages and between dialect and language, the
author applies several differentiation criteria on the Croatian language (structural criterion,
intelligibility criterion, genetic criterion, identification criterion and standardization
criterion), and concludes that within certain criteria there are no clear boundaries, which
causes space for arbitration regarding the question whether two languages are identical or
different. However, the identification criterion is the clearest one, and it is consistent with
the principle that the language belongs to all its speakers. Finally, the paper emphasizes
the difference between the legitimacy and the real power for implementing the linguistic
reality and, in this context, emphasizes the importance of understanding the de Saussure's
consensual approach.
Keywords
sociolinguistics; structuralism; dialect; criteria; legitimacy
Hrčak ID:
243215
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2020.
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