Linguistic Signs: Characteristics, Functions, and Oral Language
Linguistic Sign Characteristics
1. Solidarity
Linguistic signs are highly interconnected, meaning they mutually need each other to exist. A sequence of sounds not associated with a meaning is not a linguistic sign. Conversely, a meaning isn’t transmitted without a sign; thus, they need each other.
2. Arbitrariness
Arbitrariness is unmotivated, arising from a convention among speakers. If we observe a particular linguistic sign, the sequence forming the sign has no inherent connection with the concept it evokes. Therefore, it could represent another concept.
3. Articulation
Articulation means being composed of smaller divisible units. Martinet spoke of a double articulation:
- First Articulation: Signs can be divided into units endowed with meaning (monemes). These can be free or bound: free morphemes coincide with words, and bound morphemes are parts of words, such as prefixes and suffixes.
- Second Articulation: These are phonemes, the smallest units without meaning, whose function is distinctive, allowing us to distinguish one word from another.
4. Linearity
Signs appear in a linear sequence; they cannot overlap. This linearity means signs appear one after another, both in speech and writing.
5. Discreteness
Signs are distinct from one another, like dawn, morning, afternoon, sunset, and night.
6. Orality
The linguistic sign is fundamentally oral. Writing is a substitute for oral language. Languages are oral semiological processes, and they exist independently of written language.
7. Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic Relations
- Syntagmatic: Horizontal relations, where the meaning of each sign depends on the other signs within the sentence. Signs occur one after another in a linear fashion.
- Paradigmatic: Vertical relations. Words belonging to the same category form a paradigm of interchangeable elements.
Functions of Human Language
1. Abstraction
Language abstracts properties from objects and names them, allowing us to discuss these properties as separate entities.
2. Symbolization
Language creates symbols that help us perceive the world. We group things and animals based on common characteristics. Humans have a great capacity for imagination, expressed in art forms like painting and sculpture.
3. Socialization
Language is an invaluable tool for communication within a social group.
4. Generalization
Language classifies things based on shared features. By grouping things with similar characteristics, we organize them into general concepts represented by words.
5. Creativity
Language allows us to create a world of imagination beyond our everyday experiences.
Characteristics of Oral Language
1. Auditory-Vocal Channel
The sender uses the vocal tract to produce the message, and the receiver uses the ear.
2. Directed Transmission and Reception
The sound wave travels in all directions, allowing the receiver to locate the sender.
3. Evanescence
Oral signals vanish quickly, unlike other types of signals, such as olfactory signals, which can persist.
4. Interchangeability
Participants in communication can both transmit and receive messages.
5. Total Feedback
The sender can control their own signals by hearing themselves, allowing for modification, improvisation, etc.
6. Specialization
The language system is specialized, and its use doesn’t fulfill any other physiological function.
7. Semanticity
Expressions have meaning and refer to something external.
8. Arbitrariness
The sign is arbitrary, lacking a natural connection with its referent.
9. Discreteness
Each sign is distinct from others.
10. Displacement
The signal’s reference doesn’t need to be immediately present in time or space. This develops with linguistic maturity.
11. Duality
Refers to the double articulation of language (monemes and phonemes). This allows for an unlimited number of words.
12. Productivity
The system can send and receive new messages. Rules are repeated and used to create and develop messages.
13. Cultural Transmission
Language is part of social life and is passed down through generations.
14. Prevarication
The possibility of issuing false messages. Language mediates between self and world, and speakers can distort messages.
15. Reflexivity
A communication system can refer to itself. Language can be its own object (metalinguistic function).