Question

What is the difference between a sign and a symbol? Give your own example of a sign and a symbol (out text uses the example of a stop sign and a kiss, respectively)

Answer 1

A sign and a symbol both are by no doubt graphical representations but the main difference lies in the way they communicate their meaning to the target audience.A sign is a graphical representation which is intepreted in the same way by different people across geographies. It has the capacity to communicate the meaning directly to the target audience. It is widely accepted and known as the same across globally. It is informative in nature. They have a language on their own. It is also required to follow them strictly, for example the traffic signals, the red light, a road diversion signal, pedestrian crossing signal, all these signals are self communicating and is understood by all the people irrespective of their geographical boundaries which they are bound to follow. A symbol is intepreted in different ways by different people on basis their cultural background. It is subjective in nature. It is abstract.A victory symbol using the fingers is intepreted in different ways across countries, It indicates victory or peace and sometimes even offense it depends on the target audience and their cultural background.