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between syntagma and paradigm in understanding signification in writ-
ten language. The discussion here accepts a degree of objectification of
language but acknowledges and refers to the congealing of language in
its written form. We further assume the removal of communication from
direct semantic ratification—separation of the utterance from its place
and situation of production and also from the possibility of questioning
its producer.
Syntagma
Saussure considered linearity an inescapable and fundamental aspect
of language, crucial to the conception of the syntagma. Linearity fol-
lowed from the spoken nature of language, and the “spoken word alone
constitute[d]” the object of study of linguistics (1916/1983, 24-25).
The linguistic signal, being auditory in nature, has a temporal aspect, and hence
certain temporal characteristics: (a)
it occupies a certain temporal space
, and (b)
this space is measured in just one dimension
: it is a line. (1916/1983, 69-70)
The principle of linearity is comparably significant as the “first law” of
linguistics, the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign (Saussure 1916/1983,
68-70).
The whole mechanism of linguistic structure depends upon it [linearity]. Unlike
visual signals (e.g. ships' flags) which can exploit more than one dimension simul-
taneously, auditory signals have available to them only the linearity of time.
The elements of such signals are presented one after another: they form a chain.
(Saussure 1916/1983, 70)
Therefore, linearity is fundamental to the concept of the syntagma.
Words as used in discourse, strung together one after another, enter into rela-
tions based on the linear character of languages. Linearity precludes the possibil-
ity of uttering two words simultaneously. They must be arranged consecutively in
spoken sequence. Combinations based on sequentiality may be called
syntagmas
.
(Saussure 1916/1983, 121)
Some traces of objectification, particularly in the view of words existing
prior to their instantiation in discourse, can be discerned in this passage.
For Saussure, the “spoken word alone constitute[d]” the object of study
of linguistics (1916/1983, 24-25), although perception and understanding
of the spoken word has been influenced by models in written language,
both consciously and unconsciously (Harris 1987, 78). Both explicit and
implicit models of written language appear in Saussure's treatment of lin-
