The principle of differentiation and the intersemiotic relations of Chinese characters

Abstract This paper defines the relationship between units within a single, homogeneous sign as intrasemiotic relations , while the relationship between heterogeneous semiotic elements discovered within a sign is termed intersemiotic relations . The principle of differentiation , also referred to as the heterogeneous double-coding principle , aims to uncover intersemiotic relationality where intrasemiotic relations are conventionally assumed. Based on this principle, the paper analyzes the intersemiotic relationality of Chinese characters, specifically: (1) the object-sign relation and langue-image relation on the expressive plane of Chinese characters; (2) the object-signification relation on the content plane; and (3) the instance relation on the signification (mode) plane. The paper argues that Chinese characters belong to heterogeneous intersemiotic relations rather than the homogeneous intrasemiotic relations of alphabetic writing. Chinese characters pertain to semiotics rather than linguistics. The implicit heterogeneous intersemiotic relational model of Chinese characters may facilitate a civilizational-level dialogue and mutual learning with Western formalized homogeneous semiotics, which is rooted in alphabetic culture.