On the Relational Nature of Language System

Relational nature of language system is of vital importance in Saussure's theory of linguistics.As philosopher Ernst Cassirer put that the crucial and revolutionary aspect of modern linguistics was Saussure's affirmation of the primacy of relation and the system of relations.This paper is devoted to a clear elaboration of the relational nature of linguistic system in terms of three perspectives,namely the arbitrariness of sign,the nature of identity and the linguistic value.It is also suggested that profound understanding of this relational nature facilitate our understanding of its importance not only in linguistics but also beyond linguistics.

Relational nature of language system is of vital importance in Saussure's theory of linguistics.As philosopher Ernst Cassirer put that the crucial and revolutionary aspect of modem linguistics was Saussure's affirmation of the primacy of relation and the system of relations.This paper is devoted to a clear elaboration of the relational nature of linguistic system in terms of three perspectives,namely the arbitrariness of sign,the nature of identity and the linguistic value.It is also suggested that profound understanding of this relational nature facilitate our understanding of its importance not only in linguistics but also beyond linguistics.