经典符号学术语symbol名实探

A Conceptual Analysis of Term“Symbol”in Classic Semiotics

符号学传统中,symbol为经典术语之一,内涵复杂,两位创始人索绪尔与皮尔士皆有论述,不但指称不尽相同而且不乏彼此矛盾之处。在结构符号学思想的影响下,尔后莫里斯、雅各布森、西比奥克与艾柯等西方学者将皮尔士之symbol与索绪尔之conventional sign甚至“语言符号”之间划等号,受其影响国内学界常见“规约符”的翻译。回归皮尔士本人思想就会发现,无论是conventional sign还是汉译“规约符”都掩盖了他的理论深度与创见,不利于思想的正确传播。故有必要厘清概念内涵的亲缘关系,理顺概念发展脉络,澄清概念之实,以便为汉译定名。

Saussure and Peirce,two most important founders of modern semiotics,defined“symbol”differently even conflictingly;as a key term,Its designatum should be delved.Under the influence of Semiology,western scholars like Morris,Jakobson,Sebeok,Eco et al equaled Peirce’s symbol to Saussure’s conventional sign,or linguistic sign.The study finds that they failed to present Peircean theory in depth,and the corresponding Chinese translation alsosimplifiedthe original concept,which inevitably jeopardizes the spread of it,so there is a need to clarify its connotationso as to denominate its Chinese translation accordingly.