TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

SIGNIFICANS [1 record]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 1981-12-04

English

Subject field(s)
  • Language (General)
DEF

The sequence of sounds or graphic signs by which a speaker refers to a physical entity or abstract concept of which he has a mental image. Thus the word star (the signifier) may be used to convey the idea of a 'luminous heavenly body' (the (...) signified or referent).

French

Domaine(s)
  • Linguistique (Généralités)
CONT

Le signifiant, dans la théorie saussurienne du signe, est la forme concrète, perceptible à l'oreille (l'image acoustique), qui renvoie à un concept, le signifié. C'est donc un son ou une suite de sons, qui peuvent être représentés secondairement par des symboles graphiques. Le signifiant linguistique est toujours linéaire, c'est-à-dire que ses éléments se succèdent et ne sauraient être simultanés.

Spanish

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TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
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