I got interested in this topic in the diaspora thread but kept getting lost in all the overlapping conversations.
Amemeba stated that a word needs:
1)a referent
2)a symbol for the referent
3)an entity that can percieve the association

She also introduced the concept of whether or not a red light, as a symbol for stop, is a word. (did I get that right?)

The difference between words and symbols is the same as the difference between apples and fruit; all words are symbols but not all symbols are words. For me the line is drawn at the ability use them in a conversation to exchange ideas. A red light may be used to provide information on a basic level and like many words it has more than one meaning but it would merely interrupt a conversation.
Any takers?


Speaking of conversations I started this one because I want to have one, especially with all the new opinions-I mean people- on board rather than reread an old conversation. So if this is a yart for you just ignore us and let us play.