The present paper aims at providing a critical analysis of the appropriation Lacan makes of Sussure's structural linguistics theory. The objective is to identify similarities and differences between Lacanian and Saussurian theories regarding language, speech, signifier, meaning and sign. Thus, in the face of the epistemological perspective promoted by Saussure, the aim is to demonstrate how Lacan makes use of these concepts to support the building of his own theory of language. Finally, the article considers some difficulties which emerge from the attempt to 'bring together' two theories: structuralist fundaments and psychoanitic principles.
Lacanian psychoanalysis; structural linguistics; signification process; subject