Language is a complex tool of communication that involves structured system consisting of both speech and gestures. Majority of languages have a visual or graphical representation encoded into symbols, or a writing system composed of glyphs to inscribe the original sound and its meaning. Communication is a way of interchanging messages or information between two or more people. Overall, communication has a wider scope than language, as communication encompasses language. 

Symbols and icons are directly related to language as they are signifiers of any material thing, whether that’s an idea or a word. They are just like words we see on the image, with one difference, for understanding, they go through a brain area where the associations are made between the graphic imagery and the word or an idea vs. just a word. Symbols and icons are also heavily influenced by the cultures are being used in. Unlike language, which requires generations to shift and change, symbols and icons are more mutable. Signifier and signified together make up the sign which is then used for communication.

Both design and language are forms of communication that actively reflect the ideas, attitudes and characteristics of the current societies. Language directly influences design since its main goal is communication. Since the language shapes our very basic methodology and structure in the process of communication, therefore, the design would clearly reflect that methodology, perhaps in more subtle ways.

In today’s complex and interconnected world, the fluidity of a design thinking and universality has become more and more crucial. With humans’ constant need to communicate and the growing active internet users, the endless ideas are being communicated in the form of visuals. Good, neutral and universal design can simplify the complexities within the communications usually caused by drastic differences in language and culture.