Question

The "mutability" of sign refers to:

• A. Signs being socially constructed.
• B. Signs being subject to historical change.
• C. Signs being universal.
• D. Signs having no fixed meaning.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Signs being subject to historical change.

In linguistics, "mutability" of a sign refers to its ability to change over time, meaning the relationship between the signifier (the word or sound) and the signified (the concept it represents) can shift and evolve within a language community, often due to cultural changes or usage patterns. 

Key points about mutability of signs:

• Saussure's concept:

  Ferdinand de Saussure, a prominent linguist, highlighted the concept of mutability in his theory of signs, where he emphasized that language is not static and signs can change over time. 

• Example:

  The word "nice" originally meant "foolish" but has evolved to mean "pleasant" in modern English, demonstrating the mutability of signs. 

• Factors influencing mutability:

  Social, cultural, and technological changes can all contribute to the mutability of signs.