Iconicity: From sign to system in human communication and language

Pragmatics and Cognition 22 (2):244-263 (2014)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

This paper explores the role of iconicity in spoken language and other human communication systems. First, we concentrate on graphical and gestural communication and show how semantically motivated iconic signs play an important role in creating such communication systems from scratch. We then consider how iconic signs tend to become simplified and symbolic as the communication system matures and argue that this process is driven by repeated interactive use of the signs. We then consider evidence for iconicity at the level of the system in graphical communication and finally draw comparisons between iconicity in graphical and gestural communication systems and in spoken language.

Other Versions

original Fay, Nicolas; Ellison, Mark; Garrod, Simon (2014) "Iconicity". Pragmatics and Cognition 22(2):244-263

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 97,119

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Which words are most iconic?Bodo Winter, Marcus Perlman, Lynn K. Perry & Gary Lupyan - 2017 - Interaction Studies. Social Behaviour and Communication in Biological and Artificial Systemsinteraction Studies / Social Behaviour and Communication in Biological and Artificial Systemsinteraction Studies 18 (3):443-464.
How to create a human communication system.Casey J. Lister & Nicolas Fay - 2017 - Interaction Studies 18 (3):314-329.

Analytics

Added to PP
2015-12-10

Downloads
55 (#309,937)

6 months
11 (#532,306)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?