RJ

Roman Jakobson

26quotes

Roman Jakobson: A Pioneering Figure in Linguistics


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Full Name and Common Aliases

Roman Osipovich Jakobson was born on October 28, 1896, in Moscow, Russia. He is commonly known as Roman Jakobson.

Birth and Death Dates

October 28, 1896 – July 18, 1982

Nationality and Profession(s)

Jakobson's nationality was Russian, and he held American citizenship later in his life. His profession was that of a linguist, structuralist, and scholar.

Early Life and Background


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Roman Jakobson was born into a Jewish family in Moscow. His father, Osip Mikhailovich Jakobson, was a historian and a philologist. This familial background had a significant impact on Roman's early interests in language and culture. He began his education at the University of Geneva, where he studied languages and literature. However, due to the outbreak of World War I, Jakobson moved to Russia and continued his studies at Moscow State University.

Major Accomplishments


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Jakobson made significant contributions to the field of linguistics, particularly in the areas of phonology, morphology, and structuralism. He is widely recognized for his work on the sound system of language, including the concept of distinctive features and the role of phonemes in language structure.

One of Jakobson's most notable achievements was his development of a new approach to linguistics, which he called "structuralism." This approach focused on the underlying patterns and structures that govern language use. He also made significant contributions to the field of Slavic languages and literature, publishing numerous works on the subject.

Notable Works or Actions


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Jakobson was a prolific writer and scholar, publishing over 400 papers and books throughout his career. Some of his notable works include:

"Phonology as a Whole" (1939) - a seminal paper that laid the foundation for modern phonology.
 "Child Language, Aphasia and Phonological Universals" (1968) - a collection of essays that explored the relationship between language acquisition and brain function.

Jakobson also played a significant role in shaping the field of Slavic studies. He was one of the founders of the journal _Slavic Review_ and served as its editor from 1956 to 1960.

Impact and Legacy


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Roman Jakobson's contributions to linguistics have had a lasting impact on the field. His work on phonology, morphology, and structuralism has influenced generations of scholars and continues to shape the way we understand language today.

Jakobson's legacy extends beyond his academic contributions as well. He was a vocal advocate for linguistic diversity and played an important role in promoting Slavic languages and cultures during a time when they were underrepresented in academic circles.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


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Roman Jakobson is widely quoted and remembered due to his groundbreaking work in linguistics and his lasting impact on the field. His quotes and writings continue to inspire scholars, researchers, and students today.

As a pioneer in the field of linguistics, Jakobson's ideas about language structure and function remain relevant and influential. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human communication.

Quotes by Roman Jakobson

The opposition between acute and grave phonemes has the capacity to suggest an image of bright and dark, of pointed and rounded, of thin and thick, of light and heavy.
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The opposition between acute and grave phonemes has the capacity to suggest an image of bright and dark, of pointed and rounded, of thin and thick, of light and heavy.
RJ
What’s next? Shall we appoint elephants to teach zoology?
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What’s next? Shall we appoint elephants to teach zoology?
RJ
What's next? Shall we appoint elephants to teach zoology?
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What's next? Shall we appoint elephants to teach zoology?
RJ
#teaching
The function of poetry is to point out that the sign is not identical to the referent.
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The function of poetry is to point out that the sign is not identical to the referent.
RJ
#art
The poetic function is the set towards the message itself, focus on the message for its own sake which by promoting the palpability of signs, deepens the fundamental dichotomy of signs and objects.
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The poetic function is the set towards the message itself, focus on the message for its own sake which by promoting the palpability of signs, deepens the fundamental dichotomy of signs and objects.
RJ
#art
A linguist deaf to the poetic functions of language and a literary scholar indifferent to linguistics are equally flagrant anachronisms.
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A linguist deaf to the poetic functions of language and a literary scholar indifferent to linguistics are equally flagrant anachronisms.
RJ
#language
Bilingualism is for me the fundamental problem of linguistics.
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Bilingualism is for me the fundamental problem of linguistics.
RJ
#fundamentals
Languages differ essentially in what they must convey and not in what they may convey.
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Languages differ essentially in what they must convey and not in what they may convey.
RJ
#may
At first acoustics attributed to the different sounds only a limited number of characteristic features.
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At first acoustics attributed to the different sounds only a limited number of characteristic features.
RJ
#numbers
Of course, we have known for a long time that a word, like any verbal sign, is a unity of two components.
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Of course, we have known for a long time that a word, like any verbal sign, is a unity of two components.
RJ
#known
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