The readings for this week focused on language and forms of communication. The reading suggests that in some parts of language, the linguistic sign is arbitrary because there is a lack of a natural relationship between the signifier and the signified. This more or less means that the word doesn’t really associate with or is linked with its sound. However, there were some objections risen to this idea because onomatopoeia words associate with the sound that they make. This idea was rejected in the fact that there aren’t really many authentic onomatopoeia words and are just an approximation of what certain things may sound like. 

Language is something that cannot be changed by anyone as it is a fixed system for everyone and for future generations. No matter how far we look back or what period we choose to look into language has always appeared as a heritage from the previous period. This is a tool of communication that we have inherited and can’t manipulate but understand and use it. 

The symbols are the signifiers that aren’t fully seen as being arbitrary. When it comes to symbols there is some sort of relationship and bond between the signifier and the signified. The symbol isn’t empty as it has a significance for something and once that symbol is established no one can change its significance. For example, as demonstrated in the reading the symbol that is associated with justice is a pair of scales and no one can change it afterward. These symbols or icons are important because they are another form of communication. This is a visual form of communication, unlike language which is auditory.