Abstract
This study aims to account for the existence of sign system in the habitation space through the analyzing of variable room names. Those data were collected from 124 houses that were sampled from a housing area in the suburb of Hiroshima city. Process of analysis and results are as follows; (1) Before starting the analysis, the author summarizes about the sign-signification of habitation space and proposes the possibility of signification on both sides of denotation (as functions) and connotation (as values). (2) Based on the list of private room names, the exprssing way of 'individuality' is investigated. The author shows that the function of private rooms is vague and that the signification by private room names depends on the formality of the variation of room names and the connotation. (3) Based on the list of public room names, the expressing way of 'public property' is investigated. The author shows that public room can be expressed as the set of ll functions and proves denotation and connotation by mutual relation of functions. (4) As a result of above study, the author shows the shows the syntax of plan and the paradigms of room name variants and so comes to the conclusion that they are a sign system.
