TheInterpretationofSaussure’sArbitrariness

王艷

【Abstract】According to Saussure，The arbitrary nature of language is “first principle of linguistic”.With the development of cognitive science，some exaggerate the importance of iconicity； some even suggest iconicity should replace arbitrariness.What leads to this extreme view is the misunderstanding of arbitrariness.The paper aims at advocating an overall and objective view towards the arbitrary nature of language，putting forward that arbitrariness and iconicity are not incompatible but complementary.

【Keywords】arbitrariness； iconicity； sign

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.According to the definition，we can see that arbitrariness is one of significant characters of language.

Modern linguistics has started from Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure.The arbitrary nature of language is “first principle of linguistic”.In order to illustrate arbitrariness，Saussure （1916，1959） points out some basic concepts.They are signification （concept），signal （sound pattern），and sign.A linguistic sign is a combination of a “concept” and “sound pattern” in our associative mind.The “concept” can refer to not only the tangible physical objects in the real world but also refer to these imagined objects or abstract ideas.The “sound pattern” is not actually a physical sound but “the hearers psychological impression of a sound，as given to him by the evidences of his senses”.Both of the two elements are psychological in nature，so “the linguistic sign is，then，a two-sided psychological entity”.The link between signal and signification is arbitrary.Since we are treating a sign as the combination in which a signal is associated with a signification，we can express this more simply：the linguistic sign is arbitrary.But the arbitrariness does not mean the free choice of a signal by the speaker.Arbitrariness is closely related with conventionality of language，that is to say，all the members of a speech community agree to use a particular signal to refer to a particular signification.

The fundamental principle of the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign does not prevent us from distinguishing in any language between what is intrinsically arbitrary – that is unmotivated –and what is only relatively arbitrary.As a result，Saussure（1916，1959） points out two new concepts：absolute arbitrariness and relative arbitrariness.Saussure does not deny the existence of motivation in language.He says，“Not all signs are absolutely arbitrary”，and “the sign may be motivated to a certain extent”.For instance，“twenty” is absolute arbitrary while “twenty-one” is relatively arbitrary.“Twenty” is unanalyzable，“twenty-one” is composed of twenty and one.Their combination twenty-one is deducible and thus motivated to a certain extent.So we can say that language concludes simple signs like bird，mouse and complex signs like mouse-trap，bird-cage.Simple signs are absolute arbitrary，and complex signs are relative arbitrary.

Actually not everyone agree to the arbitrariness of Saussure，exactly a big part of linguists are doubted about it，especially，Pierce explained “icon” in details.Those signs which resemble some objects and stands for some objects are called icons，i.e.pictures，maps and paths.Then iconicity becomes popular at once.In fact，arbitrariness and iconicity have different philosophic backgrounds.People who support for arbitrariness regard language as a self-sufficient and autonomous system.While others think that between various levels of language and experiences and realities there have plenty of features of iconicity.Iconicity focuses on the intimacy relationship between language system and language users，current society，and culture.According to this，we know that they just pointed out their theories from two different perspectives.They have their own advantages.

In conclusion，though arbitrariness has suffered various doubts and criticism，its influence is rather significant.Arbitrariness and iconicity have a close relation.They are complementary in each kind of language.That language is arbitrary or iconic is not decided by anyone，.It is necessary to find strong evidence to support it.

References：

[1]Duan Manfu （2012）.On the Arbitrary Nature of Linguistics Sign.Theory and Practice in Language Studies，Vol.2，No.1，pp.54-59，January 2012.

[2]Saussure.F.De.1959.Course in General Linguistics.New York/London/Toronto.McGraw Hill Paperbacks.

[3]胡壯麟.語言學教程（第四版）.北京：北京大學出版社，2001.

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