I have a sociology question What is the differences between a sign and a symbol?

Question

I would think solid definitions would be great, I have looked through my book and nothing seems exact.

Answer 1

What book is that? I just looked in the Rodale Synonym Finder and they do a great job! Bet that resource is available on the computer, too.

Answer 2

SIGN:

sign n. signs (HOM: sine) 1. A character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't forget the minus sign." 2. A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened); "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed the signs of spring"; 3. A gesture that is part of a sign language. 4. A public display of a (usually written) message; "he posted signs in all the shop windows." 5. Any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphixiation." [ETYM: French signe, Latin signum; cf. AS. segen, segn, a sign, standard, banner, also from Latin signum. Related to Ensign, Resign, Seal a stamp, Signal, Signet.]

SYMBOL:

1 a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract. 2 a mark or character used as a conventional representation of something, e.g. a letter standing for a chemical element.

http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/symbol?view=uk

Sign represents something that has an independent existence. The most important use of symbols is in language. To say so, however, does not solve the perennial philosophical questions as to the nature of the linguistic sign. Signs are usually iconic, or related to what they signify, whereas linguistic signs are generally arbitrary. The question remains whether the word chair stands for any chair, for a particular chair, or for the idea of a chair—a problem often involved in philosophical arguments for nominalism and realism. A secondary linguistic symbolism is writing. Another, still connected with language, appears in systems of logic and mathematics.

Modern science has in its development profited from the conciseness provided by many symbols. In chemical symbols, for example, each element is represented by one or two letters (e.g., carbon, C; zinc, Zn). Some symbols are derived from non-English names, e.g., Ag for silver (Latin argentum). A chemical formula is written in chemical symbols.

Something that represents or suggests something else. Symbols often take the form of words, visual images, or gestures that are used to convey ideas and beliefs. All human cultures use symbols to express the underlying structure of their social systems, to represent ideal cultural characteristics, such as beauty, and to ensure that the culture is passed on to new generations. Symbolic relationships are learned rather than biologically or naturally determined, and each culture has its own symbols.

Answer 3

A sign clearly points to a certain thing in comparison, while a symbol isn't necessarily as concrete.

Answer 4

Sign = directs something

symbol = represents something