Abstract

This project was undertaken in the hopes of finding to what extent there are connections between the disciplines of linguistic theory and literary criticism. More specifically, this dissertation focuses on structuralism and the linguistics of Ferdinand de Saussure versus post-structuralism and the deconstruction theory of Jacques Derrida. Through the exploration of a significant issue like logocentrism, certain connections began to appear which indicated that indeed an important interface exists. Some of the noteworthy points of contact include mutual terminology, laws and rules governing language, and a common origin of theory found in basic structuralism. This project does not in any way deconstruct Derridean thought or theory, but rather its intent is to find ways in which both linguistics and literary/critical theory can profit from understanding what each has to offer the other. The goal of this project was to discover these connections by investigating the places between the two disciplines in order to find notions and theories which meet and occasionally even overlap on some level. The results of this dissertation seem to indicate that there are enough connections to justify further exploration into this new territory; however, the disciplines themselves do not appear quite ready for such a synthesis of ideas