ABSTRACT
Basic principle of K.Bühler’s (linguistic) sign theory, postulated in analogy to N.Trubetzkoy’s theory and exemplified by the distinction between phonetics and phonology: the constitution of the sign as a sign does not occur on the basis of its materially perceptible characteristics (i.e. the phonetic variety in its articulation), but rather on the basis of its ‘diacritically effective’ features which are relevant for distinguishing meaning. ( also axiomatics of linguistics, distinctive feature)
References
Bühler, K. 1934. Sprachtheorie. Jena. (Repr. Stuttgart 1965.) Innis, R.E. (trans.) 1982. Karl Bühler: semiotic foundations of language theory. New York. Trubetzkoy, N. 1929. Zur allgemeinen Theorie der phonologischen Vokalsysteme. TCLP 1. 39-67.
