Are there more ASL arbitrary signs or iconic signs?

Are there more ASL arbitrary signs or iconic signs?

• A. Iconic
• B. Equal
• C. Arbitrary
• D. Depends on context

Answer: (C)

In sign language, signs can be iconic (visually resembling their meanings) or arbitrary (not resembling the meaning). Across the ASL lexicon, most signs are arbitrary. Iconic signs do exist, especially for concrete, easily pictured concepts, but as a language grows to cover abstract ideas and to keep signs distinct from one another, communities tend to conventionalize forms that aren’t visually tied to their meanings. That tendency toward standard, non-iconic forms means there are more arbitrary signs overall than iconic ones. Context can influence how a particular sign feels in terms of imagery, but it doesn’t overturn the general pattern that arbitrary signs are more numerous.

In sign language, signs can be iconic (visually resembling their meanings) or arbitrary (not resembling the meaning). Across the ASL lexicon, most signs are arbitrary. Iconic signs do exist, especially for concrete, easily pictured concepts, but as a language grows to cover abstract ideas and to keep signs distinct from one another, communities tend to conventionalize forms that aren’t visually tied to their meanings. That tendency toward standard, non-iconic forms means there are more arbitrary signs overall than iconic ones. Context can influence how a particular sign feels in terms of imagery, but it doesn’t overturn the general pattern that arbitrary signs are more numerous.