ABSTRACT
A definition of semiotics as "the study of signs" points to signs as worthy of considerable attention. In the majority of semiotic writings signs are central; typicalIy, Sebeok named thero the "pivotal notion" of the field (1986a, p. 39). They have been proposed as a concept equally central for related fields as well, often in grandiose terroso The fol1owing quote comes from Charles Morris, noted American semiotician, but the sentiment is not his alone: "Indeed, it does not seem fantastic to believe that the concept of sign may prove as fundamental to the sciences of man as the concept of atom has been for the physical sciences or the concept of cell for the biological sciences" (1938, p. 42). The sign is thus presented as a building block, comparable to these other building blocks in other fields. 1
This assurnption of the significance oC signs by semioticians has definitely not been echoed by those in communication, who eschew the term, preferring to write of symbols. On the rare occasions cornmunication researchers write of signs, they consistently use the word as a synonym for symbols.2 Aune stated a generally ac· cepted position in suggesting the only distinction between the two words may be one of implication, sign being the more currently "fashionable" (1983, p. 256). His position obscures the two different meanings currently available and used in semiotics and occasionally in other fields. If the two words are used as synonyms within cornmunication, it cannot be due to lack of available differentiation. In this volume (following Firth, 1973b, among others), sign is used as the general category, with the term syrnbol reserved for one particular variety of signo
In chapter 1, a sign was defined as "everything that, on the grounds oC a previously established social convention, can be taken as something standing for sornething else" (Eco, 1976, p. 16). This was sufficient for a chapter introducing semiotics, but further details are useful when signs thernselves move to the fore-
front. Traditionally, there have been two main interpretations of signs: either that they consist of a dichotomy (a two-part relationship) or a trichotomy (a more elaborate three-part relationship).
