langue
Saussure's abstract system
Langue is a linguistic term for language as an abstract system—the shared rules, grammar, and vocabulary that exist in a speech community's collective knowledge.
It contrasts with parole, the individual acts of speaking.
The distinction, introduced by Ferdinand de Saussure, separates the underlying structure from its moment-to-moment use: langue is the chess rulebook; parole is any particular game played.
Conditional early release
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- synchronyTemporal coordination
- structuralismAnalysis through underlying systems
- signifierMeaning-bearing form
signified · semiotics · phonology · morphology · syntax · semantics · grammar · lexicon
Regional language variety
- varietyState of being diverse
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
- accentRegional speech pattern
- standardLevel of quality accepted
creole · pidgin · sociolect · idiolect · multilingualism · code-switching · diglossia · honorific
Small tissue protrusions
- taste budsFlavor-detecting tongue cells
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- gustationSense of flavor
- oralOf the mouth
frenulum · dorsum · muscle · organ · mouth · uvula · epiglottis
Inherited cultural legacy
- identityWho someone is
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- nationalityLegal belonging to country
native speaker · oral tradition · folklore · proverbs · worldview · cultural identity · community · belonging
parole
Conditional early release
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- synchronyTemporal coordination
- structuralismAnalysis through underlying systems
signifier · signified · semiotics · phonology · morphology · syntax · semantics · grammar · lexicon · universal grammar
dialect
Regional language variety
standard · creole · pidgin · sociolect · idiolect · multilingualism · code-switching · diglossia · honorific · vernacular
papillae
Small tissue protrusions
- taste budsFlavor-detecting tongue cells
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- gustationSense of flavor
oral · frenulum · dorsum · muscle · organ · mouth · uvula · epiglottis
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- identityWho someone is
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
nationality · native speaker · oral tradition · folklore · proverbs · worldview · cultural identity · community · belonging
langueparole
Conditional early release
utterance · discourse · performance · token
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
- bad languageObscene or offensive words
- foreign languageAnother nation's speech
- sign languageVisual-gestural communication system
- second languageTongue learned after childhood
- living languageLanguage still naturally spoken