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Iconicity
Peircean definition
The semiotic notion of iconicity originates with the American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce.
A sign A stands for an object B to an interpretant C. This simple formulation of the definition of the sign characterises the ternary structure and the interactive nature of the signs that Peirce sought out in his semiotic theory.
Peirce,
“we think only in signs ”
semiosis的过程透过三个方向:
1.sign --representamen(代表项)某件事物的根据
2.mental image --interpretant(解释项)标物被接受的形式
3.object –referent (指称对象) 记号的根据
SJan Davidsz de Heem, (Dutch, 1606-1683/84)Still Life with Fruit, c.1640-50Oil on canvas31 1/2 x 26 1/2 in.
EX:一个人看到一幅画,说是一篮水果的静物,而那影像,是围绕其他东西,是某个东西的sign --representamen(代表项)。而观者在他的心中形塑这个影像,是依据他联想的某个东西的影像。而这个心理的影像(mental image)就是 interpretant(解释项)。而interpretant指向object –referent (指称对象)。Object对每个人都不一样。可能对某人代表真实的水果,对某人是静物画,对某人又是一大笔钱,对某人又是17世纪的荷兰。对这幅画来说object是个人主观的和接受-决定(reception-determined)的。
The Representamen(代表项)
a red light facing traffic at an intersection
An Interpretant(解释项)
人the idea that a red light indicates that vehicles must stop
An Object(指称对象)
人的观念
vehicles halting
Symbol/symbolic/symbole/象征: a mode in which the signifier does not resemble the signified but which is fundamentally arbitrary or purely conventional - so that the relationship must be learnt: e.g. language in general, numbers, morse code, traffic lights, national flags;
Icon/iconic/icone/相像或象似: a mode in which the signifier is perceived as resembling or imitating the signified (recognizably looking, sounding, feeling, tasting or smelling like it) - being similar in possessing some of its qualities: e.g. a portrait,
Index/indexical/indice/指涉的符号: a mode in which the signifier is not arbitrary but is directly connected in some way (physically or causally) to the signified - this link can be observed or inferred: e.g. 'natural signs'
Image, diagram, metaphor
The divisions of icons: images, diagrams and metaphors, characterised by the dominance of mimicry, analogy and parallelism.
Images are mimetic to their objects.
Images are immediate signs, which are less abstract and less dependent on conventions than the other two subtypes of icons.
Diagrams exhibit a structure analogous to the structure of their object. Diagrams show the abstract structure which resembles the structure of their object.(a scientific model of the solar system)
Metaphors are ‘those which represent the representative character of a representamen by representing a parallelism in something else.’

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