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Cited by 795Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic VariationHistorical Linguistics and Language StudiesLinguistics and Language Studies

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The iconicity of grammar: Isomorphism and motivation

Haiman, John·1980·Language
DOI 10.2307/414448
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Abstract

Although linguistic signs in isolation are symbolic, the system or grammar which relates them may be diagrammatically iconic in two ways: (a) by isomorphism, a bi-unique correspondence tends to be established between signans and signatum; (b) by motivation, the structure of language directly reflects some aspect of the structure of reality. Isomorphism is so nearly universal that deviations from it require explanation. Motivation, although widespread, establishes a typology of languages, as indicated in Saussure's Cours. The evidence of artificial taboo languages suggests that degree of motivation co-varies inversely with the number of ‘prima onomata’ in the lexicon.

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Metadata

Authors
Haiman, J.
Corresponding author
Haiman, John
Venue
Language
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
1980-09
Volume
56
Issue
3
Pages
515-540
ISSN
  • 0097-8507 (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-0665
DOI
10.2307/414448
OpenAlex
W1997949966
Cited by
795
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 64 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 86 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 11
FWCI
25.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 16628 d)
Locations
  • Language (publishedVersion)
  • Americanae (AECID Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Historical Linguistics and Language Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Linguistics and Language Studies
Keywords
iconicity, grammar, isomorphism, motivation, linguistic sign, Ferdinand de Saussure, artificial languages, taboo words, vocabulary, linguistic typology, language and reality

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