问题：
Textual function
答案：
Ferdinand de Saussure is a Swiss linguist who is often described as 'father of modern linguistics'. The great work Course in General Linguistics which was based on his lecture notes marked the beginning of modern linguistics. Saussure' s idea on the arbitrary nature of sign one the relational nature of linguistic units on the distinction of langue and parole and of synchronic and diachronic linguistics etc. pushed linguistics into a brand new stage. FerdinanddeSaussureisaSwisslinguistwhoisoftendescribedas'fatherofmodernlinguistics'.Thegreatwork,CourseinGeneralLinguistics,whichwasbasedonhislecturenotes,markedthebeginningofmodernlinguistics.Saussure'sideaonthearbitrarynatureofsign,onetherelationalnatureoflinguisticunits,onthedistinctionoflangueandparoleandofsynchronicanddiachroniclinguistics,etc.pushedlinguisticsintoabrandnewstage.