Defining iconicity for the cognitive sciences

Abstract Iconicity has become an increasingly hot topic in the cognitive sciences, but research is riddled with inconsistencies in the use of key terminology, including “iconicity” itself, as well as other related terms. This chapter presents a precise definition of iconicity that reflects the wide range of research on the topic in cognitive science and linguistics but also provides clarity moving into the future. It also clarifies common terminological confusions with respect to related notions including sound symbolism, systematicity, and indexicality. The discussion puts the spotlight on aspects of iconicity that are underappreciated in cognitive science, especially its context-dependent nature, and the fact that iconicity is underpinned by multiple rather than monolithic cognitive mechanisms.