WHAT IS ICONICITY? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The iconicidad, in functional-cognitive linguistics and semiotic similarity is or analogy between the shape of a question (linguistic or not) and its meaning. It is about the relationship of resemblance or similarity between the two aspects of a sign: its shape and its meaning.

An iconic sign is one whose shape resembles its meaning in some way. The opposite of iconicity is arbitrariness. In an arbitrary sign, the association between form and meaning is based solely on convention; there is nothing in the form of the sign that resembles aspects of its meaning.

Any image is classified under the criterion of iconicity according to its degree of similarity with the level of reality that it represents. DA Dondis, J. Room and other designers established three fundamental levels of iconicity.

If an image has a high degree of iconicity it is considered realistic, when it has a medium degree of iconicity it refers to a figurative image, and when it has a zero degree of iconicity it is an abstract image.

Degrees of Iconicity

There are 11 degrees of iconicity classified in descending order and by levels of reality.

11-Natural image

A natural image is any perception of reality through sight without interference from external factors. It is impossible to represent this degree of iconicity in its entirety by means of any virtual image.

10-Scale three-dimensional model

In a three-dimensional scale model, the properties of an object and its identification are restored. The most common examples are usually life-size sculptures because they refer us to the same human form in which they are based.

9-Holograms

In this degree the images are a stereoscopic record that reestablish the position and shape of the objects present in a space.

8-Color photographs

Color photographs with a high degree of definition and quality can match the resolving power of the average human eye. This style of photography helps to represent reality quite similarly.

7-Black and white photographs

Black and white photographs bear a certain resemblance regarding the degree of iconicity that color photographs have. The only thing that separates them is the level of reality that monochrome photographs fail to fully represent.

6-Realistic painting

Realistic painting reestablishes spatial relationships within a two-dimensional plane. The plane is usually of an indeterminate size and on several occasions the characteristics of the painting itself can take us away from its resemblance to reality.

From this level, the degree of iconicity begins to decrease considerably.

5-Non-realistic figurative representation

Unlike previous grades, non-realistic figurative representations have altered spatial relationships, but still produce the identification necessary to recognize them.

4-Pictograms

Pictograms are drawn icons that figuratively present a real object in a more or less realistic way. It is a real image exposed simply and clearly with sensitive features.

3-Motivated schemes

Motivated schemas have abstract artistic properties and reestablish organic relationships. This grade is usually represented by plans and organization charts.

2-Arbitrary schemes

Arbitrary schemes are images that do not store any sensitive characteristics. To this degree, the relationship of the image to its meaning does not follow any logical criteria.

1-Non-figurative representation

In non-figurative representation, all images have sensory and relational properties abstracted.

References

1. Bouissac, Paul. (1986). Iconicity: essays on the nature of culture. Stauffenburg-Velarg.
2. Iradi, Franco. (2004). Research Work '' Iconicity Scales ''. Bilbao.
3. López, Angel. (1989). Foundations of perceptual linguistics. Madrid, Gredos.
4. Peirce, Charles. (1974). The science of semiotics. Buenos Aires. New Vision.
5. Ransdell, Joseph. (1966). Charles Peirce: The idea of ​​Representation. NY, Columbia University.