Finesentence logo

Structuralist: meaning, definitions and examples

📚
Add to dictionary

structuralist

 

[ ˈstrʌk.tʃər.əl.ɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

theory analysis

A structuralist is a person who analyzes cultural phenomena in terms of underlying structures, particularly in the fields of linguistics, anthropology, and literary theory. Structuralists focus on the relationships between elements within a system rather than on the elements themselves. This approach emphasizes that meaning is derived from the differences and relationships within a structure rather than from individual components.

Synonyms

analyst, critic, theorist

Examples of usage

  • The structuralist approach reveals deep-seated patterns in language.
  • As a structuralist, she examined the cultural narrative frameworks.
  • Many literary critics adopt a structuralist viewpoint in their analyses.

Translations

Translations of the word "structuralist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estruturalista

🇮🇳 संरचनावादी

🇩🇪 Strukturalist

🇮🇩 strukturalis

🇺🇦 структураліст

🇵🇱 strukturalista

🇯🇵 構造主義者

🇫🇷 structuraliste

🇪🇸 estructuralista

🇹🇷 yapısalcı

🇰🇷 구조주의자

🇸🇦 البنيوي

🇨🇿 strukturální

🇸🇰 štrukturalista

🇨🇳 结构主义者

🇸🇮 strukturalist

🇮🇸 strúktúralisti

🇰🇿 құрылымдық

🇬🇪 სტრუქტურალისტი

🇦🇿 strukturialist

🇲🇽 estructuralista

Etymology

The term 'structuralism' was first coined in the early 20th century and emerged as a critical movement in various fields, including linguistics, anthropology, and later, literary analysis. It can be traced back to the works of linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, who is often regarded as the father of modern linguistics. Saussure's theories emphasized the importance of understanding language as a system of signs defined through relationships and differences rather than merely through their individual meanings. Structuralism gained traction in the mid-20th century, particularly through the work of scholars such as Claude Lévi-Strauss in anthropology, who applied structuralist approaches to culture and society. The movement further influenced literary critics like Roland Barthes and Gerard Genette, who explored narratives and texts through a structuralist lens, focusing on how meaning is constructed within a literary framework. Over time, structuralism began to face criticism and evolved into post-structuralism, which challenged the idea of stable meanings and absolute structures, leading to new perspectives in literary theory and cultural studies.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,199, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.