Immanent Linguistic Epistemology in Saussure and Hjelmslev: A Comparative Study

Saussure"s fundamentally novel ideations about language and the problem of the sign, which were introduced to humanities by the publication of the compiled book called Cours de linguistique générale, were indicating a basic turn and the foundation of a new algebraic and relational general science. Many linguists and scholars- who were often called “structuralists” (or partially “post-structuralists”) - pursued his ideations. Among them, Luis Hjelmslev is a prominent figure. Some consider him as the true successor of Saussure. It may be contended that the veritable linkup point between Saussure and Hjelmslev"s perspectives on the epistemology of the linguistic science (and subsequently about the general epistemology) could be related to the concept of “immanence”. In the present study, the basic components in Saussure"s linguistic epistemology- according to recent Saussurological studies – were first extracted by a special attention to his scripts and his lectures; later, their fundamental modifications in the Glossematic standpoint of Hjelmslev were tracked. Next, the importance of epistemological transitions applied by Hjelmslev was examined. Finally, the precious consequences of the Glossematical epistemology towards an “immanent linguistic algebra” were affirmed, and a reconsideration of Hjelmslev"s unique thought regarding the theorization of language was proposed.