Signs and Symbols of Math and Language

Part of my research is dedicated to the signs and symbols of math and language and how they are similar. In language, letters and characters represent sounds, and they are linked together to form words, which represent meanings. In mathematics, the obvious symbols are numbers, as they are what comes most frequently to mind when we think of math. Decimals, division signs, addition signs, subtraction signs, and multiplication signs are all symbols used commonly used in mathematics; they represent concepts and processes. Mathematical symbols can change numbers entirely, for example, a pointedly placed decimal can alter a number completely (ex. 1234567 and 1.234567). In language, the obvious symbols are letters, which are like the direct cousins of numbers, but there are also punctuation signs, such as quotation marks ("), exclamation marks (!), commas (,), periods (.), and question marks (?). Punctuation can also change meanings: a statement can be changed into a query by adding a question mark at the end. Symbols are things that stand for something else - something that would make sense and would relate to the concept it was representing; representation, association, resemblance. Symbols can be complex or simple (hand-drawn or computerized).