Arbitrariness

What is arbitrariness?

Arbitrariness consists in the claim that there is no direct link between the signified and the signifier. This means that both the signifier and the signified can have more than one concept. 

Arbitrariness happens more often between countries. Take the example of British and American English. British and American English have different words for the same concept. 

1. When the signifier changes but the signified remains. 

In British English, the signifier of the concept above is autumn; while in American English, the signifier of the same concept is fall. 

2. When the signified changes but the signifier remains. 

Keeping with the examples between countries, arbitrariness can also happen when the same word has two different concepts among countries. 

Let's take a look at Guatemala and El Salvador.

Two countries very close to each other, but each one of them with different language. 

For example, the signifier patojo/a has two different signifieds in each country. 

In Guatemala, the word means niño/a; while in El Salvador patojo/a means cojo/a. 

Therefore, arbitrariness refers to the non-existing link between the signified and the signifier, which permits to interpret a signifier with other signified than the usual; or a signified with other signifier.