Sign (linguistics)

In general linguistics Ferdinand de Saussure described a sign as a combination of a concept and a sound-image. A sound image is something mental as it is possible to talk to oneself without actually moving the lips. But normally the sound-images are used to produce an utterance.

So a sign consists of

• a concept - respectivly the signified (signifié)
• a sound-image - respectivly the signifier (signifiant), or phonological form in generative terms..

Source:

Ferdinand de Saussure, Course in General Linguistics; Part One - General principles; chapter Nature of the Linguistics Sign