「影像化」的閱讀方式，對知識體系有何改變？這不僅涉及了長期以來「視覺迷思」（myth of vision）和「語言傳統」（tradition of language）間的競合，並具體而微地反映出人類在不同符號體系間意義如何表現、建構與分享等諸多尚未深究的問題。本文首先探討「符號、思維、語言、傳播」四者在意義產製過程中的分屬定位與相互聯繫，進而比較「視覺符號系統」和「言辭符號系統」在上述四個不同層次上的「相通」、「相異」、「相競」與「相合」，並為影像和言辭相互擦撞揉雜之傳播未來加上註解。

　　　　　What changes have been caused to the structure of the knowledge system due to the improvement in the new technology of image production which enhances the form of visualized reading? This issue not only relates to the competition and convergence between the myth of vision and the tradition of language, but also reflects some unexplored questions such as how humans create, apply, construct and share the meaning of different symbol systems. This issue initiates our contemplation about behaviors of communication and interaction among different symbol systems. This article firstly discusses the distinctive positions and the interrelationships of symbol, thinking, language, and communication respectively in the process of creating and sharing meaning. Furthermore, this paper attempts to explore the relevant, different, competitive, and cooperative relationships between the visual symbol system and verbal symbol system by comparing the four different levels of symbols, thinking, language, and communication from the bottom-up in order to elucidate certain aspects of the future of communication in which image and verbal language might mingle and collide.