One day, someday, Dear Faldage, that special day when you are speaking to yourself, ask yourself...

What three elements are logically and semantically necessary to delimitate the term "word"?

List them.

(1) a referent
(2) a symbol for the referred.
(3) a mind that recognizes the association.

Now ask that grumpy Scotch-Irish-German person that lives inside of you this simple question...

If we remove a single one of these three elements from the mix do we still have a "word"?

Now see how pleasant life is when we all come to an understanding.