According to saussure (as can be seen in Figure 1), language or the sign is described as a "double entity," made up of the signifier or sound image (signifiant), and the signified, or concept (signigei). The sound image is a psychological, not a material concept, belonging to the system. Both components of the linguistic sign are inseparable. One way to appreciate this is to think of them as being like either side of a piece of paper, That is, one side simply cannot exist without the other.