Definition & Bedeutung von "structuralism"

What is "structuralism"?

Structuralism is an intellectual movement in linguistics and other fields that focuses on understanding the underlying structures that shape language and culture. In linguistics, structuralism emphasizes the relationships between elements of language, such as sounds, words, and grammar, rather than the meanings of individual words. It analyzes language as a system of signs, where the meaning is derived from the differences and relationships among those signs. Pioneered by Ferdinand de Saussure, structuralism has influenced various disciplines, including anthropology, literary theory, and philosophy, by promoting the idea that elements of culture and thought can be understood through their interconnections within a larger system.