[CESERH] Conférence de Thomas Broden (Purdue University) à l’ULIège, 15/06/2022

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of this lecture lies in its use of previously under-explored archival materials, such as Barthes’ grant applications and correspondence with Greimas, to reconstruct the intellectual evolution of both thinkers. It offers a nuanced view of their relationship, challenging the binary opposition of the intuitive literary critic versus the systematic linguist. The argumentation is solid: Broden supports each claim with specific documents, quotes, and chronological details, building a persuasive case for a shared methodological project. He also critically assesses limitations, such as Barthes’ admitted lack of training in mathematical and statistical techniques, which strengthens the credibility of the analysis. The lecture demonstrates a rigorous historical methodology, comparing primary sources and contextualizing them within the broader intellectual milieu of French linguistics in the 1950s.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, as the lecture is based on primary sources including archival documents, letters, and doctoral theses. Broden cites specific items like Barthes’ ‘Le Degré zéro de l’écriture’ and Greimas’ doctoral work, and he carefully cross-references multiple sources to support his narrative. The quality of sources is excellent, with direct references to the Fonds Barthes at the Bibliothèque nationale and Archives nationales. The title is perfectly adequate: it precisely reflects the lecture’s focus on the lexicology-to-semiology transition and the common trajectory of Greimas and Barthes during the specified period. The presentation is rigorous, with clear chronological structuring and explicit citations, though it assumes a high level of familiarity with French linguistic history.

The title accurately reflects the content, as the lecture explores the shared intellectual trajectory of Greimas and Barthes from lexicology to semiotics between 1946 and 1958.

8/10

The lecture is based on primary sources (archives, letters) and presents a detailed historical analysis of two major figures in linguistics. The speaker is a recognized scholar, and the content is well-documented and critical.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 10:00Discussion of Barthes' early interest in linguistics and his 1940s articles for 'Combat'.
• 25:00Impact of the Alexandrian circle and Greimas' influence on Barthes' turn to linguistics.
• 40:00Details of Barthes' lexicology thesis project on political and economic vocabulary (1825-1835).
• 55:00Exploration of methodological innovations: collocations, valence, and statistical analysis.
• 1:10:00The blockages Barthes faced and his decision to abandon the thesis, focusing on 'Le Degré zéro de l'écriture'.
• 1:25:00Conclusion: how these early developments prefigured later structural semantics and Greimas' actantial model.

• Le Degré zéro de l'écriture — Mentioned as Barthes' first book, drawing on his lexicological research and published in 1953.
• Sémantique structurale — Referenced as Greimas' later work that developed structural semantics.
• Essai de grammaire de la langue française — Cited as a source for the concept of 'valence' in relation to collocations.
• Le Français fondamental — Mentioned as the project in which Barthes participated through Pierre Guiraud.
• La mode en 1830 — Greimas' thesis, contrasted with Barthes' project and its focus on vocabulary.

• Sémantique structurale — Mentioned as a later work of Greimas that directly builds on the ideas discussed in the lecture.