The Nature of Linguistic Signs and Their Functions in the Cognitive-Communicative Process

The article examines numerous representations and judgments about the object of semiotics research existing in recent years in both domestic and foreign linguistic literature. The history of the analyzed sign system is considered, along with detailed information about linguistic signs' nature, types, and functions. Examples from the works of prominent representatives in this field, such as C. S. Peirce, W. von Humboldt, F. de Saussure, Y. Lotman, and others, are used to comment on the relation to the problem of linguistic meaning. Information about the nature of signs, linearity, freedom, and the functions performed by linguistic cues in the cognitive-communicative process of all symbols used by humans for information exchange and the rules of their application is presented in detail. The conclusion derived from the research is that the symbolic nature of language is one of its fundamental and universal features. When considering the connection between language and thought, it becomes apparent that the primary function of signs is to facilitate and specify the cognitive processes inherent to humans. The cognitive function of linguistic signs is the principal function that distinguishes them from characters in other semiotic systems. Thus, the communicative and generalizing parts of signs are interdependent.