Question

multiple choice question
why is it correct to say that most language is arbitrary?

words are designed to mean whatever the individual wants them to mean.
language is imposed upon people by school systems, publishing companies, and other institutions.
people who use a language decide what the words mean, and they can change the meaning.
words have enduring meanings that seldom change.

Explanation:

The arbitrariness of language refers to the lack of inherent connection between a word's form and its meaning; instead, meanings are collectively agreed upon by language users, and these agreed-upon meanings can evolve over time. The first option is incorrect because word meanings are not individual but communal. The second option is wrong as language is not imposed by institutions but developed and shaped by its speakers. The fourth option is false because word meanings do change over time.

Answer:

People who use a language decide what the words mean, and they can change the meaning.