论语言符号的理据性和约定性

Comment on the Motivation and Arbitrariness of Linguistic Signs

本文从分析语言符号的不同层面入手,借用文字学中的假借来谈语言的起源和发展,并结合语言的社会性,从共时和历时两个方面来研究语言符号的音义结合问题。文章认为语言符号在音义结合之初是有理据的,即理据性创制符号时的原则,而语言的社会性决又定了语言符号的约定性,即约定性是使用符号时的原则,二者并行不悖,各司其职,分工协作,共同完成语言的交际功能。

The article begins with the analysis of the different levels of linguistic signs,discussing the origin and development of language by borrowing the concept of guise in philology.Combining the sociality of language,the article explores the relationship between sound and meaning of linguistic signs from the synchronic and diachronic perspectives.The paper draws the conclusion that linguistic signs have motivation in the early period when sound combines with meaning,i.e.,motivation is the principle of creating signs;while the sociality of language determines the arbitrariness of linguistic signs,i.e.,arbitrariness is the principle of using signs.They both share out to the work and cooperate,perform their own functions and complete jointly the communicative function of language.