Language--What is it, and who uses it?
What is the difference between a symbol and a sign? If you are driving outside and see the following (it's a STOP sign but you have to be in the graphic version to see it, so please use your imagination), what do you do?
Probably stop. The sign is a call to action -- to stop! It is also a communication that is necessary for your survival. Disregard it and the results can be fatal!
But if you see this instead: (Now you have to imagine a sign with the word SUPERMAN written on it; or you could switch to the graphic version
What do you do?
Probably nothing. That is because it was NOT a call-to-action. And it is certainly NOT necessary to your survival. And incidentally, it is not a sign (in the Pavlovian sense).
It is simply a communication that brings to mind an idea--about a man who is faster than a speeding bullet...(next page please)