Harris, Roy (1998) “Writing and Proto-writing: From Sign to Metasign” in Integrational Linguistics: A First Reader (eds.) Roy Harris & George Wolf: 261-269. Oxford: Elsevier Science Ltd.

Any object with a surface which can be marked has the potential for use in communication in two possible ways:

(i) The object itself retains ‘semiotic neutrality’ merely providing a convenient surface for the inscription of a sign or signs.

(ii) The object itself functions as a sign, as well as acting as the bearer of a further (inscribed) sign or signs. 

            The latter possibility subdivided at its simplest into:

(iia) The object itself functions as emblem and the inscribed mark as token, or

(iib) The object itself functions as token and the inscribed mark as emblem. - 268