Language desk
< March 11	<< Feb \| March \| Apr >>	March 13 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

March 12

Symbols for non-literate people

Is there an international system of the use of symbols to illustrate concepts for people who are not literate in any language? When considering the Wikimedia Commons I realized that some images could use a system of symbols to help illustrate the concepts to illiterate viewers. I wonder if there is a system that could be used to help non-literate viewers understand more information about images they see WhisperToMe (talk) 19:34, 12 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You might be interested in Otto Neurath > Visual Education, Yazdani & Barker, Iconic Communication, ISO 7001 and DOT pictograms. --Atethnekos (Discussion, Contributions) 21:53, 12 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you so much for the information! WhisperToMe (talk) 21:56, 12 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

See Blissymbols.—Wavelength (talk) 22:43, 12 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Note that most traffic signs also work for the illiterate. For example, while a stop sign may say STOP, anyone from a country that uses them would also recognize the red octagon alone. StuRat (talk) 22:45, 12 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Many UK police forces issue a book of symbols called Pocket Comms which allow officers to communicate with people who don't understand English[1]. Alansplodge (talk) 23:40, 12 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you so much, guys! I mentioned the things at Commons:Commons:Village_pump#Symbols_for_non-literate_people WhisperToMe (talk) 00:12, 13 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

This may not be quite what you're thinking of, but the symbols on the Pioneer plaque were designed to impart meaning to extra-terrestrials who, quite naturally, would not be literate in any earthly language. The meanings can (apparently) be deduced from first principles. See also alien language for how to communicate with ET. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 01:08, 13 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for that info! I wonder how many of the pioneer symbols would be useful icons... WhisperToMe (talk) 17:08, 17 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]