der  Signifikant

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɪɡnɪfiˈkant/

🤔 What does 'der Signifikant' mean?

Der Signifikant is a technical term from linguistics and semiotics, coined by Ferdinand de Saussure. It refers to the material aspect of a linguistic sign – that is, the sequence of sounds (when speaking) or the sequence of letters (when writing) that we perceive.

Imagine the German word „Baum“ (tree):

• Der Signifikant: The sound sequence /baum/ or the letters B-a-u-m. It's the 'form' of the sign. (This is the 'signifier' in English terminology).
• Its counterpart is das Signifikat (the signified): The mental concept or idea of a tree. It's the 'content' or meaning of the sign.

Together, der Signifikant and das Signifikat constitute the linguistic sign. 🚨 Important: 'Der Signifikant' (the noun) is not the same as the adjective 'signifikant' (significant, important).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Signifikant'

'Der Signifikant' is a masculine noun in German. It follows the n-declension (weak declension).

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Linguist analysierte den Signifikanten des Wortes.
   (The linguist analyzed the signifier of the word.)
2. Die Beziehung zwischen dem Signifikanten und dem Signifikat ist oft arbiträr.
   (The relationship between the signifier and the signified is often arbitrary.)
3. In der Semiotik untersucht man die Eigenschaften von Signifikanten.
   (In semiotics, one studies the properties of signifiers.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

'Der Signifikant' is used almost exclusively in academic contexts, especially in:

• Linguistik (Linguistics): To describe the form of linguistic signs.
• Semiotik (Semiotics): For analyzing signs of all kinds (words, images, symbols).
• Literaturtheorie (Literary Theory): When analyzing texts and their levels of meaning.
• Philosophie (Philosophy of Language): In discussions about language, meaning, and reference.

In everyday language, the term is practically nonexistent. People would rather use words like „Wort“ (word), „Ausdruck“ (expression), „Lautbild“ (sound pattern), or „Schriftbild“ (written form), depending on the context. It's crucial to distinguish it clearly from the adjective 'signifikant' (significant, considerable), which is used much more frequently (e.g., „ein signifikanter Anstieg“ - a significant increase).

💡 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Ton (the sound) or DER Buchstabe (the letter) – something masculine, tangible, the form. Der Signifikant sounds masculine and takes 'der'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Der Signifikant is what signals, what you see or hear (the letters, the sound) – the outer shell, not the core meaning (= das Signifikat).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but Different Terms:

• signifikant (adjective): significant, important, considerable. Unrelated to the noun 'der Signifikant'!
• Zeichen (noun): 'Sign' - the overarching term comprising both signifier (Signifikant) and signified (Signifikat).

😂 A Little Language Joke

Fragt der Signifikant das Signifikat: „Bin ich für dich nur Luft und Tinte?“
Antwortet das Signifikat: „Ohne dich wäre ich nur ein Gedanke ohne Namen!“

(Translation: The signifier asks the signified: "Am I just air and ink to you?"
The signified replies: "Without you, I'd just be a thought without a name!")

📜 Poem about the Concept

Der Signifikant, ein Klang, ein Bild,
Auf Papier ganz wild.
Er trägt die Form, das äuß're Kleid,
Doch was er meint, liegt oft noch weit.
Erst mit dem Sinn, dem Signifikat,
Wird er zur vollen Zeichentat.

(Translation: The signifier, a sound, an image,
Quite wild on the page.
It carries the form, the outer dress,
But its meaning often lies far, no less.
Only with sense, the signified's art,
Does it become a full sign-act.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich habe Klang, doch keine Stimm'.
Ich habe Schrift, doch keinen Sinn – für mich allein.
Ich bin die Hülle, nicht der Kern,
Man sieht und hört mich nah und fern.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: Der Signifikant)

(Translation: I have sound, but no voice.
I have script, but no sense – on my own.
I am the shell, not the core,
Seen and heard near and afar, evermore.

What am I?
Answer: Der Signifikant / The Signifier)

🌐 Further Information

Word Origin: The term comes from the French 'signifiant', introduced by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913), one of the founders of modern linguistics and semiotics.

Concept: The distinction between Signifikant (signifier) and Signifikat (signified) is fundamental to understanding language and signs. Saussure emphasized the Arbitrarität (arbitrariness) of the sign, meaning that the connection between the form (Signifikant) and the meaning (Signifikat) is mostly not natural or logically determined (e.g., there's no inherent reason why a tree is called 'Baum' in German and not something else).