The linguist Ferdinand de Saussure describes language as consisting of two representational systems. The first is a system of mental representations that are our interpretations of the external and internal worlds. These mental representations become a conceptual map of our experiences. In order to communicate with others we must each have conceptual maps with enough similarity to have common references. This similarity is the foundation for our self-identities and culture.
In order to share our interpretations of the world we utilize a system of linguistic codes (letters) and rules (grammar), which is the second system of representation at work. Codes are put together to form signs that represent the meaning (actual object or idea). Language is a system of signs that represent the relationship between meaning and the codes used to signify that meaning. De Saussure labeled these two components of a sign as signifier (symbol), and signified (concept) and developed the semiotic field of study. Signs are a system (LANGUE) of representation that binds meaning to the expression (PAROLE) of that meaning.
De Saussure’s work focused on the structure of language (LANGUE) rather than the meaning of individual words (PAROLE). Within the two systems of representation there are two principles at work: association and differentiation. The mental representation system relies on associations that correlate signs to meaning, while language relies on a system of codes that require differentiation. No two symbols or words can be identical. Differentiation is abased upon the idea of binary opposites. We establish what a word is by comparing it to another word it is not, and since language functions in a linear manner of time and space we can only compare one word to another at a time, thus creating a binary pair. For example, the letter ‘s’ differentiates the binary pair dog/dogs.
Words can only be spoken or written one at a time in a linear manner. Each sentence represents a chain of words whose meanings are impacted by the word order. For example, the sentence, “the dog ate the bird” has a different meaning than if you changed the word order and wrote “the bird at the dog.” The position of each word creates a SYNTAGMATIC relationship.
While written or spoken language is linear and dependent upon syntagmatic relationship, signs themselves are stored in memory through associative relationships. Mnemonic memory devices may associate words with a similar sound such as, celebration and castration or any other word that ends with ‘tion’. Associative relations are maintained only in our mind while syntagmatic relations are a function of linguistic structure.
Individuals cannot affix the meaning of a sign. In order for signs to be communicative, there has to be agreement among the members of a culture as to what values (signifier and signified) are represented by the sign. People who speak Chinese have to all share the same understanding of what the symbolic characters (codes of language) represent and in what word order (grammar structure) they are expressed in order to form a shared understanding.
Signs are culturally specific and arbitrary. Signifiers can be changed and attached to different concepts. An example of this is the word Gay. Historically the word gay has been used to depict an emotion. The contemporary definition of the word within the English language is that of a sexual orientation. This transformational process compels us to view language in terms of its historical reference. Meaning is not affixed permanently and can be changed during any period of time.
When you think of signs in terms of representation you realize that any form of expression (music, writing, painting, architecture, photography, etc) can be viewed as a language of signs.
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