: This is a foundational text for semiotics (the study of signs and symbols). Peirce breaks down how a sign works through a three-part structure: the sign itself, the object it represents, and the "interpretant" (how we understand it).
: This paper compares American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) with spoken English and Spanish. It investigates iconicity —how much a "sign" (word or gesture) physically resembles what it means (e.g., the sign for "drink" looking like drinking from a cup). : This is a foundational text for semiotics
: It challenges the idea that sign languages are "just" gestures and explores how the visual nature of signing allows for more direct meaning than spoken sounds. The full text is available via Frontiers in Psychology . It investigates iconicity —how much a "sign" (word
: It explains why a word or image isn't just a thing—it's a tool for meaning that relies entirely on the observer's mind. You can explore a breakdown of his theories at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . 2. The Evolution of Human Communication (Archaeology) : It explains why a word or image
: It suggests that early humans had a shared, intentional system of graphic communication long before formal writing systems like cuneiform existed. You can read the full study at PNAS .
: This paper analyzes prehistoric cave markings across Europe. Instead of just looking at animal drawings, researchers focused on geometric "signs"—dots, lines, and triangles—that appear repeatedly across different caves.
3. Comparing Visual vs. Spoken Language (Psychology/Linguistics)