Post-structuralism

pp. 147-170

in: K. M. Newton (ed), Twentieth-century literary theory, Berlin, Springer, 1988

Abstract

Structuralism was founded on the Saussurian principle that language as a system of signs must be considered synchronically, that is, within a single temporal plane. The diachronic aspect of language, how it develops and changes over time, was seen as being of secondary importance. In post-structuralist thinking temporality again becomes central.