Structuralism · Anthropology

The 'Paradigmatic' axis of language is concerned with:

  1. The historical evolution of a word's meaning across centuries
  2. The substitution of signs that share a similar function or category
  3. The rhythm, meter, and sound patterning found within a poem
  4. The physical composition and printing process behind a published text
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Correct answer: The substitution of signs that share a similar function or category

The paradigmatic axis (the 'vertical' axis) involves the choices a speaker makes from a group of similar signs. For example, in 'The [cat/dog/lion] sat,' the choice of 'cat' is meaningful because it was chosen over 'dog' or 'lion'.

Difficulty: Medium Question 12 of 20

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