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Semiotic Class Semiotics is a science, which studies signs. It can be considered a cross between philology and philosophy. Perhaps, this is the only science, which can be referred to as one, which studies everything. The reason is that signs, which are the object of semiotic research, are all around people they are a mediator between human minds and the world. Some of the signs became an integral part of peoples daily lives so that they do not have to make special efforts to understand them. The language people use to communicate with each other is one of that kind.
An individual is born in a specific country, he or she is brought up in certain linguistic environment, so the fact that he uses his native language for communication is taken for granted, as a default item. Iconic signs are also a basic concept, as far as they have direct connection with the object, being its part, component or aspect. For example, the icon (or image) of a hand, leg or head can stand for a person, as well as a leaf can stand for a plant. All together iconic signs form a kind of a sign language, which is different from the language we use for communication.
The sing language is material or written. That is the sign language can be seen or felt, while the sounds we make when talking can not. For example, the sign in the picture is used to denote a man. In spoken language we can just pronounce the word man and its meaning will be clearly understandable as well as this picture. Every single sign becomes significant only because of its difference from all the others.
In this work I will stop on the differences between iconic and linguistic signs. Although linguistic and iconic signs are similar in many aspects, they still have a great lot of differences. The first difference which should be taken into consideration is the origin of both. Linguistic signs are natural as far as language appeared from peoples environment, starting from the repetition of the sounds of nature.
All the other signs, including the iconic ones are considered to be artificial, that is not natural. One of the most striking differences between linguistic and iconic signs is the fact that the first ones can be complex. For example, the word disc-jockey is composed of two different signs, but when we add them together, the meaning of the word changes. This question is closely connected with the fact that linguistic signs are flexible, creative and adaptable unlike iconic signs.
This means that their meaning can be slightly changed. For example, the word desk means the article of furniture for many people, while some may understand it as a kind of floor. In addition, linguistic signs, unlike the iconic ones, are very dependable upon context. Its impossible to understand what this or that word means without knowing the situation in which it is used. This is not the same about iconic signs. Its common knowledge that the red light on the traffic lights means stop and this meaning can be misunderstood by people, who have problems with their eyes (color-blindness) and no one else.
One of the main differences between linguistic and iconic signs is the sphere of their usage. Its common knowledge that icons are used to pay attention to something material while words are meant to express feelings, state opinions, etc. Iconic signs come in handy when we need or want to save a memory about something: we take photos, write diaries, and draw pictures. Linguistic signs are mostly meant to express the feeling of he moment-what we feel or experience at this or that moment, what we think about this or that. One more thing that differs linguistic signs from the iconic ones is the amount of people involved. Linguistic signs are mostly used when there are two or more speakers.
Usually, when people talk to themselves or talk when they are alone, they are considered to be insane, though this may not always be true. As for the iconic signs, the sphere of their usage does not depend on the amount of people. Its quite normal if people write something in a secluded place or apart from other people. Taking pictures of beautiful scenarios or nature being eye to eye with it is also not a strange thing. The range of feelings people can express with the help of linguistic and iconic signs is not the same as well. This aspect can best of all be illustrated with the help of psychology.
When people come to a psychologist they are very often on the verge of a nervous breakdown, so they cant express their feelings and their inner world with the help of words it hurts when they start speaking about their problems. Another thing is expressing their inner world by means of drawing. There are many methods connected with this approach. For example, people are asked to draw any geometrical figure they want.
After that judging from which figure they chose the doctor examines the state of their consciousness and is able to decide which methods to use while curing or helping them. This is similar to Lushers test, which helps to get a clear picture of the patients personality, just by proposing the patient to choose the color he likes best from the proposed ones. The test associates people with certain colors, each of which means a specific kind of personality. For instance, green and orange people are considered to be cheerful and lively, while grey people are generally boring and difficult to get along with. This concept is closely connected with spirituality in abstract art. Painters (for example, Dali, Rothko, Newman) consider it easier and more effective to pour their soul out onto the canvas than speak it out.
All in all, the differences between linguistic and iconic signs are almost as numerous as similarities. Generally, both of them are still signs, which form a complete system, which helps us to apprehend and interpret information about the world around us. This system resembles a meat grinder. The outer world is processed and associations, emotions and feelings come out thanks to the signs of which the machine is composed. This machine has become an integral part of human life and its impossible for humans to day to live without signs be they linguistic, iconic, or any other. Reference 1.
Roland Barthes Elements of Semiology (1964) Hill and Wang Publication.
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