语言符号的任意性和非任意性

论文摘要

语言符号的能指和所指之间的关系是任意的还是有理据的,这是一个古老而又常新的话题。19世纪末,现代语言学之父索绪尔提出了语言学的头等原则,即语言符号具有任意性,这个原则在当时得到了大多数语言学家的认可。但是,也有部分语言学家对此持反对态度,他们质疑语言符号任意性原则的重要性,而且认为语言符号的非任意性优于任意性,应当作为语言符号的第一性。自此知后,“语言符号的任意性与非任意性,哪个应当作为头等原则”“语言符号的任意性与非任意性是如何相互作用的”等等问题开始成为现代语言学领域的争论热点。通过重新审视语言符号任意性与非任意性的定义及范围,可以得知这两种性质体现在语言符号的不同层次,所以试图区分他们何为第一性,何为第二性是没有必要的,也是不合理的。本文作者认为,研究者不应该再争论哪一种性质是第一性的,而应该探索二者在语言符号和语言系统中的关系。语言符号非任意性的存在也不能抹煞任意性在整个语言系统中的作用,二者共同存在,相互作用,构成了神秘的语言系统中的大量语言符号。本文结论是,语言符号的任意性和非任意性处于一个连续体的两端,并没有严格的界限。二者在语言系统里都发挥着重要的作用,它们相互影响,相互作用,不可分割。

论文目录

• 摘要
• Abstract
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• 1.1 The Problem
• 1.1.1 The Brief Introduction to Saussure’s Principle of Arbitrariness
• 1.1.2 The Problems on the Former Studies of Arbitrariness
• 1.2 Research Questions and Objectives
• 1.2.1 Research Questions
• 1.2.2 Objectives
• 1.3 Type of Research and Hypotheses
• 1.3.1 Type of Research
• 1.3.2 Hypotheses
• Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework and Related Literature
• 2.1 Theoretical Framework
• 2.1.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Signs
• 2.2.1 The Saussurean Model of Linguistic Sign
• 2.2.2 The Peircean Model of Linguistic Sign
• 2.3 Arbitrariness and Nonarbitrariness of Linguistic Sign
• 2.3.1 Arbitrariness of Linguistic Sign
• 2.3.2 Nonarbitrariness of Linguistic Sign
• Chapter 3 Method
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Participants
• 3.3 Design and Data Analysis
• 3.3.1 Aims
• 3.3.2 Research Questions
• 3.3.3 Instruments
• 3.3.4 Data Analysis
• 3.4 Materials
• 3.4.1 Application of Nonarbitrariness to Vocabulary Studying
• 3.4.2 Application of Nonarbitrariness to Grammar Studying
• 3.4.3 Application of Nonarbitrariness of Literary Text
• 3.5 Procedure
• Chapter 4 Results
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 The Relationship between Arbitrariness and Nonarbitrariness
• 4.2.1 Reexamination of Arbitrariness
• 4.2.2 Three Prevalent Views on Nonarbitrariness
• 4.2.3 Complementarity of Nonarbitrariness to Arbitrariness
• 4.2.4 Arbitrariness and Nonarbitrariness: A Matter of Degree
• Chapter 5 Discussion
• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Theoretical Significance of the Research
• 5.3 Practical Significance of the Research
• 5.4 Problems and Difficulties Encountered
• Chapter 6 Conclusion
• 6.1 Summary
• 6.2 Validity and Reliability
• 6.3 Limitations and Further Research
• References
• Appendix
• Published Paper
• Acknowledgements