Semiotics is defined as, “the study of the social production of meaning from sign systems; the analysis of anything that can stand for something else.” The ultimate goal is clarify between verbal and nonverbal signs. We use or see signs each and everyday and we probably don’t even notice when we do.

Symbolic signs don’t relate to the object they are interpreting. It must be something learned within a certain culture. For example, the pause button on a remote controller. Everyone knows the parallel lines means that one can stop whatever they might be watching for however long they desire. In no way does the image refer to the action that takes place once you push it.

Iconic signs are the complete opposite. The image of the sign directly relates to the object being portrayed. One can use any of their five senses to distinguish the sign to which its referring. For example, the sign used for recycling. The three green arrows represent reusing and the fact that its normally green means that it is eco-friendly. The arrows are designed in a circular pattern to interpret the cycle that our waste is put in.

Indexical signs are “directly connected with their referents spatially, temporally, or by cause and effect.” The use of the sign relates to the object, action, or idea to which one is referring. For example, the shrug of one’s shoulders means that they do not know.