The Centenary of the First Publication of Saussure’s Sign Theory — Odier (1905)

The 1905 book Essai d’analyse psychologique du méchanisme du langage dans la compréhension by Henri Odier (1873–1938) is noteworthy for containing the first published report of details of the sign theory of Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913). This article discusses those details and Odier’s interpretations of them, which stray considerably from what Saussure intended, to judge from his later lectures. Because it is known that Saussure owned a copy of Odier’s book and he appears to have read it carefully, an examination is made of significant references Odier makes to other work. Finally, the negative review of Odier’s book by Antoine Meillet (1866–1936) is considered.