语言符号的任意性与象似性

On Arbitrariness and Iconicity of Linguistic Signs

语言符号的任意性和象似性一直是备受争论的课题。以索绪尔为代表的语言学家认为语言符号是任意性的,但是韩礼德等语言学家认为语言符号不具有任意性,相反具有象似性。语言符号的任意性和象似性不是对立的关系,而是一个连续体上的两个点,中间还有一个"约定俗成"的概念,用以完成两者之间的过渡。

The arbitrariness and iconicity of linguistic signs has been a controversial topic. Some linguists represented by Saussure insist that linguistic signs are arbitrary, while others represented by Holliday consider that linguistic signs are not arbitrary but iconic. Based on the analysis of the two opinions, the article proposes that the Arbitrariness and Iconicity of Linguistic Signs are not contradictory, but they are two points on a continuum combined by the concept of popular usage.