Beyond Generative Grammar: A Course in Performance Linguistics and Literature Studies, 1820-1970

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Ferdinand de Saussure's book, A Course in General Linguistics, radically changed the development of linguistics, transforming it into a self-contained, acceptable science in its own right. Now at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the author of this book intends to update Saussure. He presents his ideas about the shape of linguistics, highlighting key aspects of language as a social phenomenon. The book takes issue with the generative grammar school, in favour of a 'Performativist' position: a pragmatic understanding or characterisation of language as it is performed.