索绪尔语言学与语言相对论

Saussurean Linguistics and Linguistic Relativism

本文探讨了语言相对论和索绪尔语言学及认知语言学的关系,并简要梳理了语言相对论的发展,并简要介绍了语言相对论的三种诠释模式:词汇模式、词源焦点模式和语法模式。本文指出,索绪尔一方面反对盛行于19世纪、基于洪堡特观点的语言相对论,另一方面在自己的语言学里又暗含语言相对论的观点。索绪尔关于意义和概念的观点为认知语言学所继承和发展,进而成为新语言相对论的发展基础。新语言相对论在诠释方法上回到传统模式,既有积极的进步,也有消极的倒退。

This paper explores the relationship among Saussurean linguistics, Linguistic Relativism （LR） and Cognitive Linguistics（CL）, making a brief introduction to the LR interpretation patterns： lexical pattern, grammatical pattern and etymological ＆ focal pattern. Then the paper shows that Saussurean linguistics plays a contradictory role in LR. On the one hand, Saussure has explicit anti-relativistic statements on LR, which was based on Humboldtian views and widespread in 19th century; on the other hand, his purely differential view of meaning actually allows for new LR. Cognitive Linguistics is a continuation of Saussurean strncturalism and develops LR in 20th century. Neo LR adopts earlier approaches, which can be regarded as both positive and negative.