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An important distinction in [[Saussure]]'s [[linguistics]] which poses considerable translation problems.

Unlike English, French has two terms that can both mean 'language': ''langage'' and ''langue'', as in ''la langue franCaise'' ('the French language').

''Langue'', in contrast, is defined as the social aspect of [[language]].

It has little to do with individuals, and can be described as the product of a [[linguistic]] contact between all members of a [[community]].

As the [[sign]]s constituting it are arbitrary and purely conventional, it is the differences between them that confer [[meaning]] upon them.

''Langue'' can therefore be said to be an organized system of differences.