ABSTRACT
In contrast to the conventional theories of signs, which provide for the features of signs in light of the correspondence between the sign and its referent, this paper proposes a theory of signs as provided by the work of designing a notational system. In the first half of the paper, I outline the theories of the sign-relation held by C.W.Morris, C.J.Ducasse, John Wild, and Alfred Schutz. I show that a correspondence theory of meaning underlies each of these theories. In the second half of the paper, I demonstrate that the sign vehicle, as well as the designer, are missing from such an account of the signrelation. These features stand as essential elements of the work of designing which consists of the constitution of the correspondence between the sign and its referent. Finally, I show that construction of correspondence is situated work. Once the correspondence has been constituted, the sign offers no trace of this work, thereby providing for the findings of the conventional theories of correspondence.
