Abstract
Grandfather of Linguistics Humboldt
Wilhelm von Humboldt, one of the founders of linguistics, has eighteen points of
unfinished notes in the center of his views about this matter. Although the notes titled
“Theses on the foundation of general linguistics” ceased at the point where the theoretical
explanation began to turn into objective solutions, it sheds light on Humboldt's views
with the distinction and originality of the language directed. It was tried to draw a wide
and functional framework for Humboldt's linguistic understanding as much as possible.
Looking for a system for linguistics, Humboldt is wary of the language being a living being
and its infinity. Nevertheless, he advances his opinions enough to classify it into “general
language”, “special language” and their extracts “historical language”. Especially
geist's feature of carrying the language and the transcendence of the language, the
necessity of addressing languages as a whole due to their interactivity and implications
such as the language carrying and creating culture shows how inclusive and original
his look is. Although there is a common “text tradition” that everyone already uses and
shaping speech, the fact that each individual is producing a new “text type” each time
and one thinks only through the words in his mind, it requires the study of “cognition”.
Only “thought and language”, “me and the world”, “semiotics”, “language and national
character” have not been studied in this context, and the content has been extended until
Humboldt's return to language philosophy. It is almost impossible to make a judgment
about “linguistics” without realizing the views of Humboldt, who understands the
language and the language spoken by the people and regards language as the creative
tool of thought.
Keywords
Wilhelm von Humboldt, Linguistics, Philosophy Of Language, Semiotics, Noam Chomsky, Karl Bühler.
