A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON SIGNIFICATION AND SUGGESTION

Joby John
MA, B.Ed.
E-Mail:jobykeelath@gmail.com

Abstract:The academic paper entitled, “A Comparative Study on Signification and Suggestion” is an attempt to compare and
study two key terms in the philosophy of language such as Signification (Sign, Signifier and Signified) and Suggestion
(Vyanjana). These two terms are still a subject of research in modern semantics. This comparative study aims at comparing
both Eastern and Western schools of philosophy of language to come up with the similarities and individual traits of both
schools. In order to make the study more brief and accurate this academic study mainly focusing on Saussurean
understanding on sign from the Western side and Vyanjana from Sabdhabodha ( One of the source of knowledge of the Nyaya
Epistemology) from the East. Both these linguistic philosophies mainly deals with word and its meaning on the basis of
structure and context.
Key Words: Vyanjana, Sign, Signifier, Signification

Introduction nature of meaning, ideals of correctness and the

1.1. Introduction origins of language. But from the earliest periods,
there has been an objective approach, with scholars
Language is nothing but a constructed one. It does not investigating aspects of grammar, vocabulary and
hold any mysterious nature within it by its nature. It is pronunciation in detailed and organized way. At the
obtained naturally, because each individual has an end of the 18th century the subject attracted an
innate universal neural syntax inside the brain. It is increasing number of specialties, so much so that it
this universal neural syntax enables a language rapidly became possible to see the emergence of a
learner to acquire any language logically. That is the new field of scientific research with language analysis
only reason why any difficult language is acquired by as it focus. This approach, first known as philology,
a child born in that linguistic context. A child learns dealt exclusively with the historical development of
its mother tongue at the early days only because of language.1
the linguistic atmosphere around. But philosophers Historical awareness of the origin and development of
take diverse positions in the assumed expedition in language is needed to explore the major tenets of
identifying the exact reason behind language language and meaning and to describe at length the
acquisition and meaning generation. Language is the multifarious concepts related to it.2 According David
medium through which we approach any reality, Crystal, “A religious or philosophical awareness of
because sensation is only a source whereas language language can be found in many early civilizations; in
is an active medium. It means that sensation is an particular, several of the important issues of language
individual experience whereas language is a analysis were addressed by the grammarians and
contextual experience. Language is acquired, philosophers of Ancient Greece, Rome and India.”3
preserved and transmitted through the meaningful 1.2. Word and Meaning
arrangement of words in context. Systematic studies
on language as stated above have begun before The word represents the reality or meaning. A word
Common Era. David Crystal describes the conveys meaning through the association of
chronological development of language and difference. Each word of a particular language is
linguistics in his epoch making work The Cambridge understood with the help of the other words available.
Encyclopedia of Language. And the associations of the different words in
Often, the observations have been subjective and languages represent the reality or meaning. That is,
anecdotal, as people reflected on such topics as the ultimate meaning is not possible without having an
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Ensygloge Vol.:1, Issue:1; January-June, 2021
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Omni glottal language. Many philosophers have tried Signification and Suggestion. The following
to untie the mysterious nature of language and paragraphs introduces the following chapters.
meaning. The linguistic philosophy has its origin 1.3. Chapter Summary
when human beings have begun to use language
logically and systematically to express simple and The second chapter entitled “Signification” discusses
complex realities around him. The best example to the fundamental relationship between Signifier and
prove this statement was the ancient grammatical text Signified. It also deals with how meaning can be
composed by Panini. David Crystal, a linguist composed by adjoining smaller elements (Signifier
describes the content of Astadhyayi in The Cambridge and Signified) through signification. The concluding
Encyclopedia of Language. David Crystal says: chapter entitled elucidates the uniqueness of the
The Astadhyayi (‘Eight books’), dealing mainly with structure of all words or sentences in generating
rules of word formation, are composed in such a different levels of meaning. This chapter studies the
condensed style that they have required extensive theory of Vyanjana in detail and asserts that there are
commentary and a major descriptive tradition has many similarities between Signification and
since been established. The work is remarkable for its Suggestion. In this chapter the similarities and
detailed phonetic descriptions: for example, places of differences are systematically analyzed.
articulation are clearly described, the concept of
voicing is introduced, and the influence of sounds on II. SIGNIFICATION
each other in connected speech is recognized (the 2.1. Introduction
notion of sandhi). Several concepts of modern Ferdinand de Saussure, in the Course in General
Linguistics derive from this tradition.4 Linguistics, describes language as a system of signs (a
So it is clear that every culture has its own word is a sign) to which we respond in a predictable
understanding and clarifications to the language and way.6 According to him, the sign is made up of a
linguistic philosophy. Though the modern linguistic signifier (e.g., the acoustic form of the word, the
philosophy argues its originality, it is originally a kind sound) and a signified (e.g., a mental concept). These
of manipulation of the ancient language philosophy. two are combined in the mind resulting in
The modern society took linguistics as a branch of understanding or meaning (e.g., perceiving the sound
study with the lectures of the Swiss linguist Ferdinand “cat” signals the object “cat”). The bond between the
de Saussure (1857-1913). Actually when his signifier and the signified is arbitrary; any word can
academic development is studied historically it is be used to signify anything.7He also envisages
clear that he has got a good Sanskrit ground in the semiology as a science of signs. For him language is
field of linguistic philosophy. As far as the only one of the systems studied by semiotics.
observations it is clear that he has introduced Sanskrit Semiotics is a key to unlock the cultural phenomena
linguistic terms in modern terms to the modern where multifarious signs play in different forms. He
society. He studied the basic sensible unit of the presents the model in the dyadic tradition. Here he
language in terms of a combination of the sound unit explains the meaningful element of a language Sign
and to which it is referred to. All his lectures are consists of two inseparable elements; 1). Signifier and
compiled by his students and published it on the title 2). Signified.
Course in General Linguistics in the year 1916.5 The twenty first century linguistic critics describe
According to his reach and study language is to be signifier as the form of reference point whereas
studied as if a system of signs. Structuralism has got Signifeid as the referred point. But Saussure defines
its origin in the field of language with his linguistic them as “Concept” and “Sound Pattern.” A linguistic
theories. He has left few hinds of a deep grammatical sign has only a conceptual existence. Here the
structure which energizes the entire system of signs material thing outside is not taken into consideration.
systematically. But later it is Chomsky who has According to Tanveer Ahmed Muhammadi, “The
developed that particular field under TG grammar. internal system of these signs is binary. It comprises a
The foremost pronouncement of this academic paper sound segment (signifier) and another segment,
is particularly based on the relation between “thought” he termed as “signified”. Signifier is

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essentially a sound image than merely a sound. A thatSaussurean followers treat the signified as a
particular sound image relates to a particular mental impression.
thought.”9 2.3. Imagery of a dubious sided paper
2.2. Functions of the elements of the sign Both the verbal and the idea are compared to two
A sound pattern always work in the mind in sides of a paper by Saussure. For it is not possible to
association with a perceived conceptual impression. understand or comprehend the concept of a paper
Therefore this sound pattern is functioning just like a without the presence of both its sides. That means
catalyst that mediates in meaning generation. Because there is an inseparable link between these sides what
the sound pattern and the material thing to which it is makes them as if it were one. They were ‘intimately
referred to has only an arbitrary relation. But linked’ in the mind ‘by an associative link’ – ‘each
onomatopoeic sound patterns are different. Sign triggers the other’16. Saussure puts foreword these
becomes a meaningful unit only when the both elements as interdependent units. Take the case of a
elements are given an appropriate association.10 For word and its meaning. A word is a phonological
Saussure, both of the said elements are purely meaningful unit or units. Though it is said in such a
psychological.11 way that a word always carries meaning, this
concerned meaning is actually an attributed one
2.2.1. Signification within a context. Therefore a sign being a sound unit
Within the Saussurean model, the sign is the whole as well as a mind impression could not be understood
that results from the association of the signifier with out of a linguistic context where a signifier is referred
the signified.13 The signifier – signified association is to its referent. Saussurean representation of the
known as “Signification.” correlation of the elements of a sign is not a mere
The process of the association these internal elements depiction of an arbitrary relation, but it also represents
are depicted with arrows (see Figure2.2). The how these elements are conjoined in producing
horizontal broken line marking the two elements of meaning. The inseparable association of these
the sign is referred to as ‘the bar’. For example if we elements are emphasized by using two arrows in
take sign consisting of: Saussurean diagram on meaning generation. Why I
• A signifier: the word ‘Tree’; said so is because when an utterance is produced it
• A signified concept: The Idea Tree and also the real brings it referent also along with it. For example
tree. From this it is very clear that both the said when the sound unit “Dog” are produced it also
elements play a vital role in the conceptualization of brings an image or a mind impression along with it.
an idea. It also promotes the notion that both these Because it creates an image of “a dog” in the hearer.
elements cannot be totally meaningless and formless. The “dog” will have all the universal quality what
A signifier has multiple role in the realm of meaning make its essence. The relation between the elements
generation. It will not limit itself within the of the sign is thus inseparable. But out of its context it
boundaries of a single signified but a kind of signifies nothing unless its referent is known to its
suggestiveness also works with it. Sometimes a chain context. Therefore locus also plays a vital role in
of signifiers are observed in the application of sign in meaning generation.
the linguistic gymnastic.14 Saussure makes it clear 2.2.3. The relational system
that writing relates to speech as a signifier to signified Saussure argued that signs only make sense
or as Derrida puts it, for Saussure writing is ‘a sign of within a system where a number of signs are
a sign’.15Most subsequent theorists who have adopted involved. His theories of meaning are
Saussure’s model tend to refer to the form of obviously focused on structural relation. A
linguistic signs as either spoken or written (e.g. kind of abstract relation is vital than the
Jakobson 1970, 455–6 and 1984b, 98).As for the individual meaning of signs. It is clear from
signified, Umberto Eco notes that it is somewhere this statement that functional aspect of a sign
between ‘a mental image, a concept and a is given more importance in the actualization
psychological reality’. Thus it can be concluded of meaning. Saussure did not define signs in
terms of some essential or intrinsic nature.

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For Saussure, signs refer primarily to each is the meaning. Any idiomatic expression comes
other. Within the language system, under this category. There are thre kinds of Lakshana.
‘everything depends on relations’ 17. They are 1. Jahat (Exclusive implication )21, 2. Ajahat
No sign makes sense on its own but only in relation to (Inclusive)22 and Jahatajahat Lakshana (Exclusive-
other signs. Both signifier and signified are purely Inclusive).23 The third kind within the semantic
relational entities.18 That means a sign gets and varies potency is Vyanjana.20 In the book entitled Modern
its meaning in accordance with its relation to other Linguistics an Introduction S.K. Verma and N.
signs as well as its locus. “This common type of Krishnaswamy give an introduction to Panini: Panini
variation is that a few signs of the same language gives a scientific analysis of the structure of Sanskrit in
(ASL) are different across regions in North America; his Astadhyayi. Bloomfield described the grammar of
nevertheless, ASL speakers still understand one Panini as a monumental work of human intelligence.
another. E.g. "supper" and "dinner" in English. "Flat" Patanjali an early student of the Paninian School,
in British English for "apartment" in American defined the purpose of the Astadhyayi as the
English and "tube" for "television" respectively).”19 preservation of the ritual language in its traditional
form; the capacity of generation of forms from one
III. CONCLUSION pattern to other; the sanctity of the grammatical science
3.1. Introduction to Indian Linguistics itself as an integral part of scripture; the economy of
The Indian linguistic philosophers could develop their description to facilitate memorization; and the clarity of
own interpretations in the field of semantics. Among description. Panini wrote a mathematical grammar
these philosophers Panini has been considered an capable of generating new forms which also accounted
important linguist in the development of Sanskrit for all extant forms and construction in his language
grammar.20 But here I am dealing with only the levels (327). 21 Exclusive implication- Here primary meaning
of meaning of word and its semantic function in a is completely abandoned.
22 Inclusive- Primary meaning+ something else (e.g.
sentence. This semantic level is mainly discussed in
protect the ghee from the crows.) Anandhavardhana
the Nyaya epistemology. There are four sources of
speaks a lot on Vyanjana in his epoch making
knowledge in this school. They are perception,
scholastic work Dhwanyaloka. It is the suggestive
Inference, Verbal Testimony and Upamana. Among
power of a language. It is what transforms a group of
these four sources the third one ( Sabdha or Verbal
words into poetry. Here Vyanjana is the word and
Testimony) is going to be discussed in detail.
vyanjyartha is the meaning. It deals with the potential
Aptavakyam Sabdhaha (Sentence from reliable
suggestive sense. Rasa is the end result of suggestion.
authority). How can it be possible? It is through word
It delights people. Anandhavardhana developed a new
which has semantic potency ( Semantic potency
theory which goes beyond meaning. For him poetry is
means the capacity of a word in producing primary,
a combination of words that delight the reader.24 “The
secondary and tertiary levels of meaning) we come
third type of implied sense is 'rasadhvani'. It consists in
across the true knowledge. What is truth? It means
suggesting 'bhaava', feelings or sentiments. In rasa
something true to the reality. A word being the dhvani emotion is conveyed through 'vyanjaka'. Rasa is
sensible unit of a sentence should be able to the subject of 'vyanjakaas' as differentiated from
communicate truth (Semantic existence). First among abhidha and laksana. Its cognition is almost
the three semantic potency is Abita (Primary simultaneous with the expressed.”25
meaning). It means literal meaning. Here vachaka is
the word and vachyartha is the meaning. There are
four kinds of primary meaning. They are 1. Meaning
by convention, 2. Derivative meaning, 3. Derivatively
Conventional meaning and 4. Derivatively different
and conventionally different meaning. When there is
inconsistency with the primary meaning we go for the
secondary meaning. It is very close to the primary
meaning. Here Lakshaka is the word and lakshyartha

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26Joby John, Expansive Grammar (Teekoy: Turn Books,

2015),4. 6 Ibid.,65.
3.2. Comparison between signification and 7 Ibid.,66.
suggestion 8 Ibid.,114.
Meaning generation is a process where words are 9 Tanveer Ahmed Muhammadi, “Saussurian
associated to generate a particular meaning. The main Structuralism in Linguistics,” Journal of Literature,
question addressed by this academic work is whether Languages and Linguistics Vol.20 (2016): 26.
there is a common ground in structural semantics and http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JLLL/article/viewFile
suggestive power of a word or group of words. /29642/30435
Semantics and syntax are interrelated, that is, a (Figure 2.1)8
change in syntax causes a change in meaning. 10 John E. Joseph, “Ferdinand de Saussure.” Linguistics
(June, 2017),
Therefore both these faculties are universal properties
http://linguistics.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/97
of languages, even at the single word level. To be
80199384655.001.0001/acrefore-9780199384655-e-385.
specific it is clear that the syntax of a sign (Here
11Saussure, 66.
syntax means the arrangement of signifier and the 12Ibid., 66-67.
signified) makes slight meaning variation. Therefore (Figure 2.2)Concept and sound pattern12
when signification and suggestion are compared it can 13Ibid., 67
be traced out that even within suggestion the internal 14 Ibid., 115.
process that is taken place is signification. Sometimes 15 Christopher Johnson, Derrida (New York:
a word denies its meaningful existence by being Routledge, 1999), 34.
meaningful.26 That is, it gets meaning only when a 16Ibid., 66.
thing (which does an action, which is in a state or 17 Saussure 1983, 121.
with possession) is referred to by it and the referred 18 Ibid., 118.
thing gets its identity only when other referred things 19 “Language variation in sign language,”
get their existence. Another difference between https://www.handspeak.com/learn/index.php?id=111.
signification and suggestion is that syntax and 23 Exclusive Inclusive means “This is that.”
semantics are highly correlated in signification 24 According to Anandvardhana and Dhvani-theorists,
whereas in suggestion many signifiers are added to Dhvani or poetic suggestion is the soul of poetry or
another signifier. One common feature found in both poetic composition and it is revealed to a sympathetic
these items is the arbitrary nature. It is not clear how enjoyer of poetic composition by an entirely distinct
the elements are conjoined within a sign and it is the power of a word called suggestion or Vyanjana.
same when suggestion is also taken into 25 “DHVANI AND RASA”, 108.
consideration. A sign may suggest different levels of http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/644/8/
meaning according to the person who receive it, 08_chapter3.pdf
because subjectivity also affects the meaning of a sign
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