paradigmatische

Paradigmatische is the German adjective used in linguistics to describe paradigmatic relations within a sign system. The English equivalent is paradigm- or paradigmatic. The concept stems from structural linguistics, notably the work of Ferdinand de Saussure, who contrasted paradigmatic relations with syntagmatic relations. Paradigmatic relations concern the set of signs that could occupy the same position in a given structure, forming a paradigm.

In practice, paradigmatic relations are vertical: members of a paradigm are substitutes for one another in the same functional slot. For example, in the sentence “The ___ sat,” any of a set of nouns such as cat, dog, or bird could fill the blank, forming a paradigm of possible subjects. Similarly, morphological inflection forms—such as am, are, is or went, go, going—illustrate how different forms substitute within a single paradigm.

Paradigmatic analysis is foundational in lexicon and morphology, aiding studies of word formation, inflectional systems, and cross-linguistic comparison. It also features in semiotics and cognitive linguistics, where the distinction between paradigmatic (substitutive) and syntagmatic (combinatory) relations helps model how signs contribute to meaning through distribution and contrast in structure.

In German-language linguistics, paradigmatische relations are routinely described in terms of paradigms, paradigmatische Achsen, and related concepts. The term emphasizes how units of language contrast and substitute for one another within a given position, shaping the organization of vocabulary, grammar, and meaning.