Lesson 4 — Activity 1: Representing Identity

Previously in this theme, you looked at some of the ways that people express their identities, mainly through writing and speech. In this lesson, you will look at some of the ways that identity can be represented or shown through formats other than words.

One of the strands of language arts is representing: that is, showing an idea rather than communicating it directly through words, whether written or spoken. 

You probably communicate your ideas more often through representation than you might realize. Have you ever waved at a friend? Made a face when you thought something was disgusting? Doodled in your notebook when you were bored? These are all simple examples of communicating by representing, or showing what you think visually instead of verbally.

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Many examples of representation of ideas are around you. How many of these things might you see in a typical day?

These are just some of the many ways that ideas are communicated to you through representation. One of the ways that ideas can be communicated through displays is by the use of symbols.

The following are some definitions of the word symbol:

something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance


a visible sign of something invisible (e.g., the lion is a symbol of courage)

a sign used in writing or printing that relates to a particular field to represent operations, quantities, elements, relations, or qualities (e.g., +, -, x)

an act, sound, or object that has cultural significance and the capacity to excite or objectify a response

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Consider the first definition.

• something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance 

This definition suggests how these symbols also communicate ideas. For example, a no smoking sign communicates through the use of the picture or illustration the idea that smoking is not allowed.

Now consider the second definition.

• a visible sign of something invisible (e.g., the lion is a symbol of courage)
  

Can you think of symbols that stand for something that is not easily seen? One example might be the flags of countries. For instance, the maple leaf is a symbol of Canada and some of the beliefs and ways of life that are important to many Canadians.

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Courtesy of Getty

The last definition also applies to the idea of representing ideas through symbols in a broader way than only visual.

The national anthem of Canada ("O Canada") or of any country is a symbol of that country and its ways.

In the activities that follow, you will learn more about some ways that representation can be used to express ideas about identity.