Angela Iacono-Assignment 2

Language is a way people communicate. Words and sounds make up the language and are conveyed through voice and/or speech. What often distinguishes a proper language from other forms of communication is that language is about words, sounds, and letters whereas other forms of communication solely rely on the message that is being sent. Language is universal and is something everyone has, it can be different from design because design is more inclusive because it is something everyone can understand. Not everyone speaks the same language but design communication can allow everyone to understand something despite that barrier. Symbols and icons are related to language because they connect people together, often without saying any words. Symbols and icons are easily recognizable. Examples can include emojis or emoticons, how the red hexagon is associated with the Stop Sign, and various traffic signs and lights. In the reading it explains that, “The word symbol has been used to designate the linguistic sign or more specifically, what is here called a signifier”. The symbol is a signifier, which means that you are acknowledging its existence and giving meaning to the sign. Signified refers to understanding and grasping the concept, meaning you understood the sign, you grasped and signified the meaning and existence of the sign, and then you have finally signified or understood the concept. An example can be the color red. Red can symbolize many different things and has many different meanings and interpretations in different countries. Red is the sign, it can signify love, it can signify anger, and it can signify luck. All those different signifiers can be signified and understood by different people. Language plays a strong role in design, specifically in typography and things like magazines. Design unites all kinds of people from all over the world; it is actually the universal language. Design and language will always work hand in hand and in today’s culture you can see how important it is to understand the world and people around you.