As particularidades da palavra, o privilégio da língua: especificidades e primazia do linguístico, em Volóchinov e Benveniste

Abstract

This article aims to establish a preeminence of language in relation to the other forms of semiosis. To this end, we orchestrate two reflections that, beyond Ferdinand de Saussure’s Course in General Linguistics, address the specificities that lead to such a preeminence. They are: the reflections by Valentin N. Vološinov and Émile Benveniste. Vološinov advances specificities of language regarding the socio-cultural functioning of the word, thus external to the sign. Benveniste discusses specificities that are internal to language, related to its ability to interpret itself and interpret the other systems. Finally, based on the conclusions derived from the theoretical analyses, we argue that such specificities could guide discussions about the place of language in the debate on school teaching of Portuguese