It is not a mere chance if we have, so far, found it easier to devise terse characterizations in reference to syntagmatic reality than for describing the relations of phonemes in the system: coexistence in a system means distinctiveness and consequently as much mutual indipendence as is compatible with economy; coexistence in the speech continuum implies, it is true, preservation of each successive unit’s respective identity, but also adaptation to context, i.e. a much greater measure of solidarity.
- Martinet (1962), a pag.84