Semiotics in foreign language teaching. Book illustrations as intersemiotic translation in English language course books

Abstract

This article discusses a specifi c aspect of English language teaching as a foreign language in Greece. This subject is further aided by Semiotics and Translation through the synergy of semiotic systems incorporating the views of Charles S. Peirce. More specifi cally, after a brief survey of what existed in the past, concerning the teaching of English as a foreign language in Greek primary schools, readers will be introduced to the English language teaching curriculum for sixth grade primary school students which mentions non-verbal forms of communication, as well as to the role of course book illustrations. Both approaches focus upon the intersemiotic value of illustrations in connection with the texts that accompany them. This study proves that the sixth grade English course book includes a broad variety of visual systems which constitute the symbols and icons of the book according to Charles S. Peirce’s categorization.