ABSTRACT: Since the end of 1980s, language scholars began to give attention to the problem of iconicity. The Chinese translation of iconicity to today is “象似”. Through a comprehensive investigation of morphology and the background of the term，this paper will point out that “像”is a more appropriate translation for iconicity. Additionally, the relationship between the Chinese characters “象” and “像” reflecting some rules of signs evolution is explored.
Key words: iconicity; semiotics; icon; linguistics
