再论语图符号的实指与虚指

A Further Reflection on the References of Verbal Signs and Images

语言和文字分属不同的符号系统,语言作为声音符号,其独特之处在于音中有"图像"(语象);而与一般图像相较而言,文字是可以发音的图像。进一步研究表明,语象和所指物相似与否,只能决定所指意与所指物的关系,却不能动摇语音与语象、能指与所指之间的任意性关系,不足以影响语言符号的实指本性。但是图像并非声音的标示,其符号能指与所指物之间的"相似性"是图像虚指的根源,观者凭借心象"信假为真"地理解图像,则成为加剧图像虚指的主观动力。

Language and writing are two different systems. Language as a system of sound symbols has the unique teature ot containing ＂image＂ （verbal icon） in the sounds, and while writing, compared with the other images, are images that can be pronounced. A further reflection leads to the observation that the resemblance between the verbal icon and the referent can only decide the relation between the meaning and the referent but cannot undermine the arbitrary relationship between the pronunciation and the verbal icon or between the signifier and the signified. In other words, it cannot change the nature of the linguistic sign to signify the congruent reference. Since image is not the mark of sound, the ＂similarity＂ between signifier and signified underlies its signification of the phantom reference. The audiences interpret the image on the basis of the mental imagery to assume the image＇ s realness, which reinforces the subjective impetus for the image to signify the phantom reference.