Ferdinand de Saussure’s seminal work, Course in General Linguistics, revolutionized the study of language and extended its influence far beyond traditional linguistic boundaries. Rather than merely reshaping linguistic methodologies, Saussure's insights laid the foundation for entire fields such as semiotics and structuralism. This cross-disciplinary impact is evident in Claude Levi-Strauss’ influential text, Anthropologie structurale (1958), which embraced Saussurean principles to transform anthropological studies. Similarly, Saussure's concepts inspired a wave of innovation in literary criticism, with numerous scholars adopting and adapting his models.

One notable figure in literary and cultural criticism who benefited from Saussure's frameworks is Roland Barthes. His work, Mythologies (1957), exemplifies the profound influence of Saussurean thought. Barthes’ ability to straddle the domains of structuralism and poststructuralism further underscores the enduring relevance of Saussure's theories. His ideas provided a bridge for poststructuralists, who often drew upon Saussure's foundational concepts as they developed their critiques and expansions of structuralist thought.

Saussure's redirection of linguistic study prompted what could be described as a paradigm shift, employing Thomas Kuhn’s terminology, in the understanding of language as a system. By advocating for the analysis of language through its units and relational structures, Saussure transformed the linguist’s role into one that examines the conventions and rules governing language combinations. This systemic approach to language has proven to be remarkably versatile, extending its applicability to various disciplines where sign systems play a crucial role in human activity. In this way, Saussure’s work has effectively dismantled the barriers of disciplinary provincialism, suggesting a new era of interdisciplinary scholarship founded on the universality of sign systems.