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A Re-examination of Arbitrariness,Iconicity and Motivation in Linguistic Signs

Gao Hang

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Abstract

Since the 1970s the arbitrariness of linguistic signs has been a source of controversy in linguistics.De Saussure's theory of arbitrariness has been increasingly questioned by functionalists and iconicity has been drawing more and more attention.This paper,based on an examination of de Saussure's theory of arbitrariness and Peirce's theory of icons,demonstrates that supporters of these two theories have not reached a consensus on understanding of some key terms including arbitrariness,iconicity and motivation.Therefore,the principles of iconicity as proposed by functionalists do not contradict De Saussure's theory of arbitrariness.

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What this paper is about

Since the 1970s the arbitrariness of linguistic signs has been a source of controversy in linguistics.De Saussure's theory of arbitrariness has been increasingly questioned by functionalists and iconicity has been drawing more and more attention.This paper,based on an examination of de Saussure's theory of arbitrariness and Peirce's theory of icons,demonstrates that supporters of these two theories have not reached a consensus on understanding of some key terms including arbitrariness,iconicity and motivation.Therefore,the principles of iconicity as proposed by functionalists do not contradict De Saussure's theory of arbitrariness.

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Available abstract

Since the 1970s the arbitrariness of linguistic signs has been a source of controversy in linguistics.De Saussure's theory of arbitrariness has been increasingly questioned by functionalists and iconicity has been drawing more and more attention.This paper,based on an examination of de Saussure's theory of arbitrariness and Peirce's theory of icons,demonstrates that supporters of these two theories have not reached a consensus on understanding of some key terms including arbitrariness,iconicity and motivation.Therefore,the principles of iconicity as proposed by functionalists do not contradict De Saussure's theory of arbitrariness.

Key concepts: Arbitrariness, Iconicity, Linguistics, Epistemology, Theoretical linguistics, Psychology, Philosophy

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