1. No inherent connection between sound and meaning: The sounds we use to represent objects, ideas, and actions have no natural or inherent connection to what they signify. For example, the word "dog" doesn't sound like a dog, and the word "tree" doesn't resemble a tree. This is unlike, say, onomatopoeia, where sounds are meant to mimic the actual sound of something.
2. Cultural and historical variations: Different languages use different sounds and combinations of sounds to convey the same meaning. For example, the word for "dog" is "chien" in French, "perro" in Spanish, and "hund" in German. This demonstrates that the relationship between sound and meaning is arbitrary and determined by cultural conventions.
3. Symbolism and representation: Language functions as a system of symbols that represent things, ideas, and actions. These symbols are arbitrary in the sense that they are not directly linked to what they represent. Instead, their meaning is determined by shared understanding and convention within a linguistic community.
4. Evolution and change: Languages constantly evolve and change over time, further reinforcing the arbitrary nature of sound-meaning relationships. New words are coined, old words acquire new meanings, and pronunciations shift. This ongoing evolution highlights the arbitrary nature of linguistic systems and the lack of inherent connection between sounds and meanings.
Therefore, language is defined as an arbitrary system of vocal symbols because the relationship between sounds and meanings is not fixed or natural but rather based on cultural agreement and historical evolution. This arbitrariness is what makes language so flexible and adaptable to new concepts and contexts.