Foundational Linguistic Concepts: Saussure & Coseriu
Ferdinand de Saussure’s Linguistic Theory
The scientific study of Saussure’s language. His structural theory analyzes language and the differences that determine, for example, adjectives and verbs. He established classifications; linguistics is internal. His methodology, which proposes structured language, is one of language signs, each acquiring elements of opposition to others. It emerged from the desire to perform a scientific study of language independently, without regard to historical factors
Read MoreIrish Literary Heritage: Revival, Themes, and Modern Voices
Literary Connections Across the British Isles
Authors from the British Isles or those with ancestral ties to Ireland, Scotland, or Wales are often considered part of a shared literary tradition.
Irish Literature
The Irish Literary Revival
The Irish Literary Revival, led by William Butler Yeats, fostered national independence and political opposition by creating a distinctive vocabulary, particularly in drama and poetry.
Working-Class Voices and Innovative Themes
- There were two significant working-class
Lyric Poetry: Essential Characteristics and Metrical Analysis
Characteristics of Lyric Poetry
Lyric poetry has its origins in classical Greece, in sentimental compositions intended to be sung to the accompaniment of the lyre. The lyric genre is subjective par excellence, based on the revelation and deepening of one’s inner self.
The Nature of Lyric Expression
Lyric poetry is dominated by two key features:
- The Expressive Function: Externalization of the author’s feelings, emotions, ideas, or vision of reality. This leads to the author’s regular presence in the
Literary Insights: Characters and Structure in Oedipus Rex and The Divine Comedy
Oedipus Rex: Characters and Structure
Key Characters in Oedipus Rex
Oedipus
The son of Laius and Jocasta, Oedipus was abandoned at birth due to a prophecy. Unknowingly, he fulfilled this prophecy years later by killing his father, Laius, the King of Thebes, and subsequently marrying his mother, Jocasta, thus becoming the new king.
Creon
Jocasta’s brother, Creon assumes a significant role in the events, particularly after Oedipus seizes the throne. He is portrayed as a passive yet capable man, adept at
Literary Rebels: Female Independence in Victorian Fiction
Challenging 19th-Century Female Roles
In the 19th century, women were expected to be quiet, obedient, and primarily focused on marriage and family. Literature from that era often depicted women as gentle, selfless, and emotional. However, some visionary writers also crafted female characters who defied these conventional gender roles, presenting a more complex view of womanhood. Two compelling examples are Estella from Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations and Catherine Earnshaw from Emily Brontë’s
Read MoreLinguistic Foundations: From Comparative Philology to Applied Linguistics Theory
Comparative Philology’s Impact on Language Teaching
Comparative Philology significantly influenced language teaching, particularly until the 1950s. Its impact was most evident in the grammar-translation method, which centered on translating one language into another, mirroring the traditional approach to ancient Greek and Latin.
Grammar-Translation Method: Focus on Rules
This method emphasized the importance of teaching grammar, vocabulary, and rules, often at the expense of communicative competence.
Read More