Introduction

Abstract As an introduction to The Oxford Handbook of Iconicity in Language, this chapter presents iconicity as a general property of language. It traces the recent renewed interest in iconicity, following a long period in which the relevance of iconicity was neglected. It moves from a semiotic perspective and the Peircean trichotomy of the linguistic sign to a consideration of the possible connection between iconicity and play as fundamental means of meaning making. It further highlights the importance of iconicity in language by discussing the relationship between iconicity and analogy and the myriad ways in which iconicity structures and is present in language. It outlines the synchronic and diachronic evidence for iconicity as an underlying principle of language, and for the creativity of language users. The chapter sets the stage for an investigation into the broad spectrum of iconicity in language that is represented in the Handbook.