Question

Which of the following best describes the relationship between a word and its meaning in human language?

• A. Fixed
• B. Context-dependent
• C. Arbitrary
• D. Universal

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Arbitrary

Human language is based on arbitrariness, meaning there is no inherent connection between a word (signifier) and what it signifies (signified). For example, the word "tree" in English has no direct connection to the object it represents. The relationship between the word and its meaning is socially agreed upon and can vary across languages.