3.0 Explain on how arbitrary connect between the linguistic forms to its meaning.

When we study human language, we are approaching what some might call the
human essence the distinctive qualities of mind that are, so far as we know, unique to
man. Noam Chomsky, Language and Mind.
Knowing the sound and sound patterns in our language constitutes only part of
our linguistic knowledge. Knowing a language is also to know that certain sound
sequences signify certain concepts or meanings. When you know a language, you know
words in that language, that is, the sound units that are related to specifics meanings. If
you do not know a language, the words and sentences will be mainly incomprehensible,
because the relationship between speech sound and the meanings they represent in
the language of the world is, for the most part, an arbitrary. Linguistic say that language
is arbitrary in the sense that meaning emerges, not from anything logically inherent in
words or their arrangement, but from the specific conventions and expectations shared
by members of a given speech community, conventions and expectation that can and
do change dramatically from time to time and place to place (Streeter,2007:1). Every
languages are arbitrary but it does not mean that the language is unpredictable, but it
means that we cannot predict exactly which specific features that we can find in a
language. There is impossible to predict exactly which sounds will occur. Each
language has its own system that differentiates the sounds and the meaning.
How is language created?. Language is created when a group of people make a
new symbol and all the member approve the symbol. Then they will make a new
language, or at least they add a new words for their language. Language is a system
consisting of many elements that support each other. Once the language used by the
people, it will exist. No society exists without language and no language exists without
the society. Knowing the sounds and sounds patterns in ones language constitutes just
part of our linguistic knowledge. It means that knowing a language is knowing the
certain sound or sound sequences signify or represent different concepts or meaning.
When we do not know a language, the sound spoken to us in this foreign tongue means
nothing. This happens because the relationship between speech sounds and the
meanings represented is an arbitrary relationship because there is no relationship
between the sounds and the meaning or in other words, we know that there is no logical
and rational relationship between the two.
This arbitrary relationship between form and meaning of a word in spoken
language is also a true in sign languages used by deaf people. If you see someone
using a sign language you do not know, it is very doubtful that you will understand the
message from the signs alone. Many signs were originally like miming, where the
relationship between form and meaning was not arbitrary. Bringing the hand to the
mouth to mean eating as in miming, would be non-arbitrary as a sign. According to the
authorities in a university in America, arbitrariness is that form and meaning is not
incoherently connected. There is no logic or reason that a hand in the world should be
presented by the sound: [hnd]. The words of a language represent a connection
between the sounds, which give its form and meaning, which those sound represent,
meaning and form equal sign. Over time these signs may change, just as the
pronunciation of words change, and the miming effect is lost. These signs become
conventional, so knowing the shape or movement of the hands does not reveal the
meaning of the gestures in sign languages.
The arbitrary nature of the sign explains in turn why the social fact alone create a
linguistic system by himself the individual is incapable of fixing a single value. A
particular language is always the product of historical forces and these forces explain
why the sign is unchangeable. Suassures arbitrariness is simply that there is no natural
connection between the signifier and the signified. That is simply that the signifier is
characteristic of symbols that they are truly arbitrary. The fundamental principle of the
arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign does not prevent us from distinguishing in any
language. Not all signs are absolutely arbitrary. In some cases, there are factors which
allow us to recognize different degrees of arbitrariness, although never to discard the
notion entirely.
Compound words and derivational words are not absolutely arbitrary. They are
relatively arbitrary. There is a direct between their sounds and meanings. With a
particular language, signs may be partially motivated in a different way. The meaning of
the new phrase is related to combined meanings of individual words.
Arbitrariness is absolute and motivation is relative. The elements a of a motivated
sign themselves is arbitrary. Value of the term is never equal to the total of the values of
its sections.
There is some sound symbolism in language, that is words whose pronunciation
suggest the meaning. Most language contain onomatopoeic words like buzz or murmur
that imitate the sounds, associated with the objects or actions they refer to. Even here,
the sound differ among language. Onomatopoeic symbols are those who imitates the
sound of natures. As we generally say they are natural cries. The sound of voices made
by the machines, the voice of animals, the sound of nature and meow (cat) are
onomatopoeic sounds. In English cock- a-doodle -do is an onomatopoeic words whose
meaning is crow of a rooster, whereas in Finnish the roosters crow is kukkokiekuu.
Sometimes particular sound sequences seem to relate to a particular concept. In
English many words beginning with gl relate to sight, such as glare, glint, gleam, glitter,
glossy, glaze, glance, glimmer, glimpse and glisten. However, such words are a very
small part of any language, and gl may have nothing to do with sight.
Icon are the visual pictures or symbols which directly gives the meaning of a
word. They generally give the same meaning all over the world. The traffic signs, maps
and pictures can be given as examples of icons: Other examples are is the iconic
version of impaired person. The meaning is same in the world. The iconic of the word
rose. This picture gives the same meaning to everyone in every characteristic of
symbols.
Conclusion, arbitrary is seen as one of the main principles of language is no
natural relation between the linguistic form of a word and the meaning of it.




Bibliography
1. Fromkin, V.,Rodman, R. and Hyams, N. 2011
An Introduction to Language. Wadsworth. Cengage Learning.
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2. Fromkin, V., and Rodman, R., N.2010
An Introduction to Language. Wadsworth. Cengange Learning.
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3. Fromkin, V., and Rodman, R., N.2003
An Introduction to Language. Wadsworth. Cengage Learning.
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4. http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/wells/phoneticsymbols.htm
5. http://atiqah-naa.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html
6. http://books.google.com.my/books?id=hAEwpu6NTEUC&pg=PR7&source=gbs_
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7. https://www.google.com.my/search?tbm=bks&hl=en&q=arbitrary&btnG=
8. http://books.google.com.my/books?id=0BhzqFratIAC&pg=PA7&dq=arbitrary+for
m+and+meaning&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a1t1T-nqPMr3rQfo-
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9. http://books.google.com.my/books?id=mfS3GlTLAUMC&pg=PA5&dq=arbitrary+f
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L2FDQ&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=arbitrary%20form%20and%20me
aning&f=false





Reflection
Alhamdulillah, thanks to Allah for his blessing on my health and thoughts to finish
this exciting assignment. On the 04 August 2012, I got this task from the subject
lecturer, Puan Izzah Binti Abu Bakar. She gave the explanation about the task. We were
given about a month to finish up this assignment completely. We should submit this task
on 14 September 2012.
I try to do the best to complete the task. I also have to manage my time properly
because I have to attend several programme at the school. This is not an easy task
and its really need my full attention to make it done. What a rollercoaster ride this
month. Even though there are up and down in this two week but still I manage to
completed the assignment with flying colours hopefully.
To overcome the weaknesses, I always referred to my lecturer and my friends to
make the proper and the best course work. I spend more time to search reference
books and make discussion with my friends over the phone. I also search the
information from the internet. Also, I always make discussion with my friends if I have
any problems.
The best thing happen during this assignment is I gains a lots of new knowledge
and I can use it during my P&P in my class. Its really an open mind and new
perception for me and I loves every minutes of it.
I can conclude that the strengths in this assignment are I get good co-
operation among my friends, family and guidance from my lecturer, Puan Izzah and
supporting from my friends in the class. Although we face some difficulties like time-
management with the other tasks and school but I manage to complete it right time on
time.
I hope the problems that I faced make me become more matured in making
decision.