Engelhardt Y. The Language Of Graphics: A Framework For The Analysis Of Syntax And Meaning Inn Maps, Charts And Diagrams

Amsterdam: Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC), 2002. — 197 p. — ISBN: 9057760894; ISBN: 9789057760891 — (ILLC dissertation series)Inn this work we propose a framework for the analysis of graphic representationss of information. Graphic representations seem to play an increasingly importantt role in our lives. While our common sources of information (e.g. books,, newspapers) used to be almost completely textual, we are now seeing moree and more diagrams, pictograms, maps and charts. We see such graphic representationss on paper as well as on signage and on screen. Some types of graphicc representations have developed due to recent advances in computer technology,, while others can already be found on archeological objects from ancientt cultures. In this thesis, 'graphic representations' are taken to include prehistoricc maps and Egyptian hieroglyphs as well as family tree diagrams, pictoriall statistical charts, and modern 3-D computer visualizations. In the contextt of this investigation we will limit ourselves to static representations. Graphicc representations can be regarded as expressions of visual languages.. The primary aim of the thesis is to examine the main principles of thesee visual languages, regarding both their graphic syntax and their interpretation.AcknowledgmentssGraphic RepresentationVisual LanguageAims of this ThesisDeconstructing graphics
A syntactic framework
A comprehensive framework
A unifying framework
Not a normative framework
Staticc versus dynamic and interactive graphicsGraphic SyntaxOverview of Graphic SyntaxGraphic SpaceGraphic space as a mental construction
Visuall layers: a common phenomenon in graphic spaceGraphic ObjectsThe notion of graphic objects
Elementary graphic objectsVisual AttributesA special case of using size: proportional divisionSyntactic StructuresStructures involving object-to-object relationsSpatiall clustering
A special case of spatial clustering: labeling
Separation by a separator
Lineup
An application of lineup: proportional repetition
Linking by a connector
Containmentt by a container
An application of containment: composite symbols
Superimposition
A look at the literature concerning object-to-object relationsStructures involving meaningful spaces and object-to-space relationsMetric spaces
Distorted metric spaces
Degreee to which aspects of space can be meaningful
A look at the literature concerning meaningful spacesAn overview of syntactic roles of graphic objectsComposite syntactic structuresSimultaneouss combination
Nesting
Background-insett displays and multipanel displays
Graphic multiples
Shared-axiss multipanelsInterpretation of Graphic RepresentationsType of CorrespondenceLiteral correspondence
Physicall structures and conceptual structures
Metaphoric correspondence
Metonymie correspondence
Rebus-based correspondence
Arbitrary-conventional correspondence
A look at the literature concerning type of correspondenceMode of ExpressionWritten text
A look at the literature concerning mode of expression
Relationship between mode of expression and type of correspondence
'Iconicc versus symbolic' distinction ignores non-literal pictorial graphic objectsInformational Roles of Graphic ObjectsA look at the literature: emphasis on information objects
Type of Represented InformationClassification of Graphic RepresentationsPrimary types of graphic representation
Hybrid types of graphic representation
A look at the literature concerning classifications of graphic representationsAnalyzing Graphic Representations and Graphic TheoriesAnalysis of Graphic Representations
Analysis of Graphic TheoriesConclusionsA syntactic framework
A comprehensive framework
A unifying framework
Culture dependence
Whatt is it all good for?Abstract
Samenvatting
ILLCC Dissertation SeriesFigure Index
Author Index
Subjectt Index
Glossaryy