System of signs

Trends in semiotics:
1) lingua semiotics – studies both natural and artificial languages
2) ethno semiotics – studies sign using behavior of people in connection with their culture
3) bio semiotics – studies signs produced by humans and animals
4) art semiotics – studies how different massages can be conveyed with the help of signs in art (ballet, music)
5) computer semiotics
Classification of signs.
Charles Pierce:
1) icons are signs which are based on similarity.
Two types of icons: images (f.e. some road signs) and diagrams (always show the proportion between the sides of one whole, f.e. bar chart, pie chart).
2) indexes are based on contiguity
3) symbols are based on convention
Hierarchy. The most primitive signs are sins indexes because they always describe what is here and now. Then come iconic signs because always presuppose a certain degree of abstraction. The most complex type of signs because they have the highest degree of abstraction.
Saussure: There are no signs that are purely symbolic. F.e. the symbol of justice (a pair of scales), the symbol of infinity.
Charles Pierce: There are no pure icons, indexes and symbols. All signs are mixtures to this or that extend. F.e. the symbol of the Olympic Games.
All types of signs can be found in natural languages. Sound imitating words are iconic.
The principles of iconicity.
The principles of iconicity means that there is a certain similarity between a language form and the thing it stands for.

The subprincipal of sequential order. The arrangement of elements in a linguistic construction usually coincides with the order of events. F.e. Veni, vidi, vici – Пришёл, увидел, победил; Eye it, try it, buy it – Увить, примерь, купи (реклама); day and night; now or never.
In language a more important thing comes first. F.E. Ladies and gentlements.
The subprincipal of distance. Things which belong together conceptually are put together linguistically.
F.e.: John sent his girlfriend a valentine card. AND John sent a valentine card to his girlfriend.
F.e.: I made her leave – direct impact. I wanted her to leave – indirect impact. I hoped that she would leave – no impact. – сравнивают расстояние между двумя глаголами.