Ubiquitous but arbitrary iconicity

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Semiotica

Publication Date

5-23-2014

Volume

135

First Page

119

Last Page

135

Publisher

De Gruyter Mouton

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of iconicity, which is largely neglected by Saussure for playing only a minor role in language. What it tries to show through ample examples is that iconicity exists at every level of language, but more importantly and contrary to popular belief, that the motivatedness of indices and icons does not in any way contradict the notion of the arbitrariness of the sign. This paper addresses the issue of iconicity, which is largely neglected by Saussure for playing only a minor role in language. What it tries to show through ample examples is that iconicity exists at every level of language, but more importantly and contrary to popular belief, that the motivatedness of indices and icons does not in any way contradict the notion of the arbitrariness of the sign.

DOI

10.1515/sem-2014-0013

Print ISSN

00371998

Publisher Statement

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

DING, E. (2014).Ubiquitous but arbitrary iconicity. Semiotica, 200, 119-135.

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