Simil-sinogram and Semiotics of Sinograms
Meng Hua
Abstract: Two essential categories, inter-graphictivity and similsinogram, are put forward in this thesis. The author proposes that Chinese charactersdiachronically and inherently imply, and synchronically connect to a heterogeneous field constituted by Chinese characters, Chinese language, icons and things as signs. This heterogeneous signrelation is the intergraphictivity. Three relations of intergraphictivity are analysed in the paper: AB opposite, AB centrifugal and AB centripetal. Meanwhile, the lasttwo kind relations belong to simil-sinogram, which are defined as heterogeneous signs crossing boundaries in intergraphictivity. In the final part of the paper, it is argued that Chinese characters of AB centripetal relation are the focus of semiotic study of sinogram. The cultural gene of the Han nationality brought by Chinese characters would prove to be a significant part among the world signs lineages.
Key words: semiotics of sinograms, inter-graphictivity, simil-sinogram