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Article published In: Historiographia Linguistica
Vol. 32:3 (2005) ► pp.309–324

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The centenary of the first publication of Saussure’s sign theory – odier (1905)

 | University of Edinburgh
Published online: 16 December 2005
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https://doi.org/10.1075/hl.32.3.04jos
Summary
The 1905 book Essai d’analyse psychologique du méchanisme du langage dans la compréhension by Henri Odier (1873–1938) is noteworthy for containing the first published report of details of the sign theory of Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913). This article discusses those details and Odier’s interpretations of them, which stray considerably from what Saussure intended, to judge from his later lectures. Because it is known that Saussure owned a copy of Odier’s book and he appears to have read it carefully, an examination is made of significant references Odier makes to other work. Finally, the negative review of Odier’s book by Antoine Meillet (1866–1936) is considered.
Résumé
L’Essai d’analyse psychologique du méchanisme du langage dans la compéhension (1905) par Henri Odier (1873–1938) est remarquable pour les détails qu’il rapporte sur la théorie du signe de Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913). Le présent article considère ces détails et les interprétations qu’en a faites Odier, qui s’éloignent des intentions de Saussure, à juger des conférences postérieures de celui-ci. Parce qu’il est établi que Saussure possédait un exemplaire du livre d’Odier, et qu’il paraît l’avoir lu attentivement, une examination est faite des références importantes que fait Odier à d’autres ouvrages. L’article se termine par une discussion du compte rendu négatif du thèse d’Odier par Antoine Meillet (1866–1936).
Zusammenfassung
Henri Odiers (1873–1938) Buch Essai d’analyse psychologique du méchanisme du langage dans la comprehension von 1905 ist von besonderem Interesse, weil es den ersten veröffentlichten Bericht über Einzelheiten der Zeichentheorie Ferdinand de Saussures (1857–1913) enthält. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht diese Einzelheiten und deren Interpretation durch Odier, die beträchtlich von Saussures Darstellungsabsicht abweicht, soweit sich dies aus seinen späteren Vorlesungen beurteilen lässt. Saussure besaß eine Ausgabe von Odiers Buch und hat es offensichtlich sorgfältig gelesen. Zentrale Querverweise Odiers auf andere Werke werden in diesem Aufsatz ebenfalls diskutiert,. Der Aufsatz schließt mit der negativen Besprechung von Odiers Buche durch Antoine Meillet (1866–1936), die offenbar sein Interesse an der Wissenschaft beendete.
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