Signde Saussure

• Linguistic sign unites not a thing and a name, but a concept and a sound image.

• A sound image is not the material sound, but the psychological imprint of the sound, the impression that it makes in our senses.

• Without moving our lips or tongue, we can talk to ourselves or recite mentally a selection of verse. http://didisukyadi.staf.upi.edu/2011/

Sound-image

• Sound image is not the same as a morpheme.

• Sound image is not a physical thing or something that we can observe like sound or print.

• Morpheme is applicable to spoken word only

• Morpheme is a vocal activity.

Linguistic signs

• A two-sided psychological entity that can be represented as follows.

• Concept

• Sound image

Linguistic sign

• A sign is a combination between a concept and a sound image.

• Arbor (Latin) or “tree” is called as a sign only because it carries the concept “tree” with the result that the idea of sensory part implies the idea of the whole

• Concept then is called a SIGNIFIED

• Sound image is called a SIGNIFIER

Arbitrary Nature of Sign

• The bond between signifier and signified is arbitrary

• The idea of “sister” is not linked by any inner relationship to the succession of the sound /sistər/

• Signifier or symbol is NEVER wholly arbitrary

• There is the rudiment of a natural bond between the signifier and signified.

Arbitrary

• Should not imply that the choice is left entirely to the speaker.

• Arbitrary is unmotivated

• It has no natural connection with the signified.

• There are signs which are motivated:

1) Onomatopeia

2) Interjection

Linier nature of the Signifier

• Represents a span

• Is measurable in single dimension

• It is a line

Synchronic-Diachronic Distinction

Synchronic

• Disregards changes of little importance.

• Sees language as a living whole

• Exists as a state at a particular moment in time

Diachronic

• Sees language as a continually changing medium

Synchronic/Diachronic Diagram

• C

A B

D

Synchronic/Diachronic Diagram

• AB represent a synchronic axis of simultaneity of a language state at some point in time.

• CD is diachronic axis of succession: the historical path the language has traveled.

Paradigmatic/Syntagmatic

• Every language has a paradigmatic relationship with every other item which can be substituted for it and syntagmatic relationship with items which occur within the same construction (The cat sat on the mat: the syntagmatic relation is between cat and sat the and on the mat)

Langue/Parole

• Langue: the language system of a group

• Parole: instances of the language use

• Competence: person’s knowledge of a language

• Performance: person’s use of language