This course is designed as an introduction to the principles and methods of linguistic analysis and is intended for those new to French linguistic studies as well as to advanced students interested in increasing and systematizing their knowledge by means of a structured reflection on some fundamental concepts of general linguistics. Exploring the organization and functioning of human language, and presenting principles of modern linguistics and its main research fields, the course will address four broad areas: phonetics and phonology, morphology, lexical semantics, and semantics of the enunciation (enunciative and pragmatic approach). No previous knowledge of linguistics is required.