development of an exclusively pictographic language?

fig.3 Illustrations from Otto Neurath, International Picture Language, London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., 1936

Neurath never intended on making Isotype a language, rather to develop a way of simplifying information to allow everyone an equal system of learning (Neurath.O, 2010). Isotype helped kickstart the use of pictograms in everyday life, however, it did not develop a language that could be shared across the world. Many symbols created by Arntz act universally, and his visual style helped develope many pictograms we use today. However, the majority of Isotype infographics share the common need for text and are designed to be read at face value.

Instead of linearly putting a symbol after another, Arntz combined symbols to change their meaning. This meant that a pictogram could be adaptable with added features. (fig 4.) An icon of a man with an icon of a cog equals a factory worker. However this leaves little for interpretation, as the combined symbols still hold their original meaning, just in an altered context. If the reader subsequently knows the symbols, interpretation is needed as to not read the information literally. If the symbols for male and female had an electric fuse symbol between them, it would not mean an actual fuse but imply that a relationship is on edge at the point of breaking (Munari.B, 1966). The idea that a symbol holds the meaning of what it represents devoutly limits the development of a language and it’s comprehension. Many Isotype graphics rely on some need of prior learning. Would this make a language non-universal or is there always the need of some environmental learning as a child within a particular culture for things to make sense?

fig.4 Isotype ‘Picture dictionary’ leaf from binder, Gerd Arntz, 1929-33, 300 x 225 mm, (I.C. 4/2)

In many instances Gerd Arntz implemented colour in a calculated way allowing an implication of something rather than a clean cut representation. Colour could be used to indicate a use or attribute of an object. By being coloured green, a pictogram of wheat suggests natural, fresh, healthy implications because of associatio