An Adaptive Computational Framework for Sign Production

The article presents a computationally-oriented framework based on some general semiotic concepts from Eco’s theory of sign production. The paper proposes a formalization of Eco’s typology by taking into account various abstract models introduced by the Italian semiotician. These are complemented by observations on adaptive systems as developed by John Holland. Following a constructionist methodology, the resulting string-based formalization is implemented computationally, leading to an abstract, but operational, adaptive model of semiosis. Design options and resulting outputs are discussed in the light of semiotic theory.