Chapter 2, Questions 1-6

1. How does Saussure define a sign?
Saussure defines a sign by the concept/idea and a "sound-image". Meaning, when you look at a sign, a street sign for example, you get the mental image of what the sign is telling you through an image.

2. What is the relationship that exists between a signifier and a signified?
Saussure uses the words "signifier" and "signified" to replace the words "concept" and "sound-image". These two indicate the opposition hat seperates them and from everything else. This is based on convention, the meaning that society gives it, can be changed.

3. Explain Saussure's statement that "concepts are purely differential".
I think that he means that concepts are unlike any other concepts and are defined by what they are not like, and they are not alike to other concepts.

4. What does Saussure mean when he says "in language there are only differences"
Throughout this whole reading Saussure is constantly relating everything back to "different" and "differences". I think that he is saying language is different for basically the same reasons for the others. I've tried looking for where he is saying this exact quote but since I can not find it I have to figure it out on my own. There are different concepts and ideas in language, there are different ways we use the language and there are different languages all together.

5. What is the difference between language, speech and parole?
Language- Language is a social institution, we use it to communicate.
Speech- Speech is both a social institution and an individual institution
Parole- Parole is speaking is is purely an individual institution

6. Is what you are wearing today language, speech or parole? explain your choice.
My outfit right now is parole. I'm in the library after a long day of classes and I changed into my comfortable sweatpants and I'm not dressing to impress other people, I am dressing so I can be comfortable while doing homework.