Charles Bally and Ferdinand de Saussure: collaboration, identity and circulation of Saussurean studies

Abstract

Charles Bally (1865-1947) and Albert Sechehaye (1870-1946) are linked to Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) by their editorial work on the notes of the students of Saussure’s general linguistics courses from 1907 to 1911 for the publication of the Cours de linguistique générale [CLG]. Because of the great impact of the CLG, little attention has been given to the scientific trajectories of
these two authors. I focus on Charles Bally through his studies of stylistics and linguistics. I analyse both his relationship with Saussure, through the use of archival documents, and his work in disseminating Saussurean thought and his contribution to the origins of structuralism. Finally, I describe several aspects of Charles Bally’s life, professional relations and research before and after the publication of the CLG, as well as of his involvement in the creation of Saussurean studies and of the Geneva school of linguistics.