O conceito fala em/de Benveniste - a fala como a forma fundamental da linguagem

Abstract

In this thesis, we propose to analyze the historical concept of the speech in/of the theorization of Émile Benveniste, from a (re) reading that, in the eyes of the reader, restores an understanding of how the speech concept works in this theorization. In the history of language sciences, we consider Benveniste's work as an important event that contributes to its development and is executed in conjunction with a specific historical situation, making, in contemporary times, for example, a new way of reading and understanding it, especially in Brazil, a space from which (re-) define its theorization based on our (re) reading. As a hypothesis, we assume that the concept of speech, in Benveniste's theorization, would be a way of updating the language, since speech would put the language into play, updating it in discourse, investing it with meaning. In order to undertake the movements of analysis and base our reading gesture, we inscribe our work in the History of Linguistic Ideas (HIL) from one of the ways it was established in Brazil in and by the theoretical and methodological practice of Discourse Analysis (AD). Our enrollment in this field of knowledge allowed us to understand the theoretical status of the speech concept, from the establishment of an archive, documentary discourse, institutionalized memory (Cf. NUNES, 2008b), in which we undertake cuts and interpretive gestures on Benveniste’s theoretical thinking in three important works, which were translated into Brazilian Portuguese, namely: Problemas de Linguística Geral I (2005 [1966]); Problemas de Linguística Geral II (2006 [1974]) and Últimas aulas no Collège de France (2014 [2012]). Through cross-references, we base our analysis on Benveniste's theoretical formulation, referring, when necessary, to its constitution and circulation. From this gesture, we were able to understand the inseparable relationship that exists between language, language and speech in Benveniste's theorization. We attribute this inseparability to the assumption of meaning as the foundation of language, allowing the author to theorize from a semiological position. It is from this position that we were able to understand speech as a manifestation that supposes vocal production, but that is also a (re) producer of meanings, constituting itself as the fundamental form of language expression, given its prevalence in allowing language enable language to speech. Thus, speech is the domain of language, since there is already meaning in it, for, when we speak, we already do so assuming a point of view, assuming a position in the world, which is already symbolized in and by language. It is in and through language that we are granted to know the language. It is in and through speech that we are granted to know the language, which is the primary manifestation of language (Cf. BENVENISTE, 2014 [2012]). There are other ways to update the language. However, speech, has a fundamental character in the linguistic phenomenon.