signifier and signified

signifier and signified

(LINGUISTICS) with reference to any linguistic SIGN, the distinction between the term (its acoustical form) – the signifier - and the concept (or idea) signified by the term – the signified. The distinction was introduced by SAUSSURE. Further aspects of the sign emphasized by him were its essentially ‘arbitrary’character, i.e. no inherent or necessary relationship between the signifier and the concept signified – thus, the term ‘dog’ in English is replaced by the different term ‘chien’ in French. Thus, the internal, essentially ‘relational’ character of language as a structure is emphasized. See also LANGUE AND PAROLE, SYNTAGMATIC AND PARADIGMATIC, DIFFERENCE, DECONSTRUCTION.