Course in General Linguistics (Open Court Classics)

Hopefully, there will come a day when Amazon reviewers will learn that works universally considered classic or foundational (like Saussure's) do not require reviews of their content, as the irrelevance of the opinions of Hank the English major or Jane the accountant regarding those works restrict the potential use-value of their reviews to whatever inadvertent amusement they might provide readers searching for information with which to evaluate the various editions or translations.That said, do not be fooled into buying the cheaper 'Open Court Classics' edition of the 'Cours', in a translation by Roy Harris. For most purposes, the Columbia University Press edition, a 2011 revision of the classic Wade Baskin translation by Perry Meisel, is best. Unfortunately, that is also why it is more than double the price.An example: Compare p.67 of the Open Court Harris translation with p.67 of the Columbia Meisel edition: In the former, the sign is divided into 'signal' and 'signification', whereas in the latter, the sign is divided into 'signifier' and 'signified'.While one may debate the relative virtues of these terminologies, the latter is almost universally used and recognized, while I for one have never heard anyone utter the former. Certainly, anyone reading this work for the first time would benefit from encountering it in the same terms as their disciplinary peers.

5 stars

very nice book, very good conditions

I really enjoy the perspectives on language set forth in this book. It is a compilation of notes taken by students during lectures by a brilliant, turn-of-the-century linguistics professor. I would recommend this book to any serious student of language.

This text marks the beginnings of modern linguistics, and is a must for any linguistic bookshelf. This text is, surprisingly, somewhat difficult to find in bookstores, so I was happy to find this affordable copy at Amazon. I recommend this book, along with Bloomfield's Language, to anyone interested in the structuralist foundations of contemporary linguistics.

I purchased this off of Amazon for my husband for Christmas. He is doing a PHD in English and put this book on his wishlist becasue apparently it is a necessity.

This is the book that started structuralism. Somewhat hard at times but well worth the 1st source read.

Good condition for the price.

To study semiotics, this is a must-buy book. However, I just don't get why the translator didn't follow the commonly accepted way to translate the keywords, such as signifier and signified, but created different translations, which confuse the readers. Thanks God, I have the French original to consult with, and figured out the problematic key words.If you have never heard of those key terms, then, don't read this translation, because it will build a barrier for your professional/scholarly communication with others who know the common key terms; ---- you use different terms, how can you discuss the same topic?

I couldn't find this book anywhere else. Book Depository has a great selection and good customer service.

very good

Thank you

This book was just what i needed, and it was in great condition. It arrived earlier than expected and was very useful, being a student the books have to be. Well worth the asking price.