Meaning: This quote by Ferdinand de Saussure, a Swiss linguist, pertains to the development of the study of language and its various phases. Saussure was a prominent figure in the field of linguistics and semiotics, and his work has had a profound impact on the understanding of language and its structure. In this quote, he refers to the different phases in the study of language, particularly focusing on the phase of grammar and its historical development.

The first phase that Saussure mentions is that of grammar, which he attributes to the Greeks and the French. He notes that this phase of the study of language was invented by the Greeks and continued unchanged by the French. This phase of grammar, as understood by Saussure, was primarily concerned with the rules and structures of language, and it was not inherently philosophical in its approach to understanding language as a whole. The emphasis was on the formal rules and structures of language, rather than a broader philosophical or theoretical view of language.

It is important to note that Saussure's perspective on the history of grammar and its development is informed by his own theories and framework of structural linguistics. Saussure is known for his influential work in the field of semiotics, particularly his concept of the signifier and the signified, which laid the foundation for structuralist approaches to language and meaning. His emphasis on the structural aspects of language may have influenced his characterization of the grammar phase as lacking a philosophical view of language.

Furthermore, Saussure's reference to the French as carrying on the phase of grammar unchanged may reflect his view of the continuity and preservation of certain linguistic traditions and approaches. The French grammatical tradition, which has its roots in the work of influential grammarians such as Émile Littré and Louis Havet, may have been seen by Saussure as maintaining the formal and structural focus of grammar without significant philosophical reinterpretation.

In the broader context of Saussure's work, this quote can be understood as a reflection of his view of the historical development of linguistic study and the different phases through which it has evolved. Saussure's own contributions to the field, particularly his emphasis on the structural and synchronic aspects of language, may have shaped his interpretation of the grammar phase as lacking a philosophical view of language as a whole.

In conclusion, Ferdinand de Saussure's quote provides insight into his perspective on the phases of linguistic study, particularly focusing on the phase of grammar and its historical development. His characterization of this phase as lacking a philosophical view of language reflects his own emphasis on the structural aspects of language and his framework of structural linguistics. This quote serves as a valuable contribution to the understanding of the evolution of linguistic study and the diverse approaches to the analysis of language.