D'Alembert et les synonymistes

Abstract

Sylvain Auroux : D'Alembert and the synonymists. Among d'Alembert's literary activities concerning language, synonymy was undoubtedly the most important. He wrote about fifty articles on the subject for the Encyclopédie (reprinted in later dictionaries) and more than once discussed its theory. This article analyses both his theory and his practice, noting particularly his use of oppositions and comparison of "synonymous with" and "can replace". Particular attention is paid to the fact that d'Alembert's work is part of a cumulative series, beginning with Girard (1718), which continued into the 19th Century. This series (in which d'Alembert is distinguished by his mathematical precision) is the origin of Saussure's concept of value.