Icono: a universal language that shows what it says

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Traditional written languages rely on arbitrary symbols and conventions.
• Existing communication methods can present barriers for individuals with specific learning disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Icono, a novel visual language designed for enhanced readability and international accessibility.
• To explore the potential of icon-based communication for overcoming conventional linguistic barriers.

Main Methods:

• Developing a system where words are represented by strings of illustrative icons.
• Designing graphical sentence structures that precede textual reading.
• Utilizing digital platforms for efficient icon-based input.

Main Results:

• Icono words directly illustrate their meanings (e.g., train icon for 'train').
• Complex concepts are conveyed through combinations of related icons (e.g., 'mammal' from cow and mouse icons).
• Graphical sentence structure enhances comprehension before linguistic decoding.

Conclusions:

• Icono offers a more intuitive and accessible communication method compared to traditional alphabetic languages.
• The visual nature of Icono benefits individuals with dyslexia, aphasia, and other speech impairments.
• Icono has the potential to become an easier-to-learn and read international language.