Which of the following thinkers is related to linguistics among the listed figures?

The thinker closely associated with linguistics among the listed figures is Ferdinand de Saussure. He is renowned for his foundational contributions to the field of linguistics, particularly through his work "Course in General Linguistics," which introduced key concepts such as the distinction between 'langue' (the abstract systematic rules of a language) and 'parole' (the actual speech acts). Saussure’s ideas also laid the groundwork for structuralism, emphasizing that language is a system of signs and that the meaning of those signs is derived from their differences from one another rather than from any intrinsic qualities. His influence extends beyond linguistics into various social sciences and humanities, showcasing the importance of language in shaping human thought and social interaction. This foundational understanding of language as a system and its functions in society distinguishes Saussure from the other figures mentioned, who focus more on psychology, anthropology, and sociology, respectively.