Before discussing the importance of representational competence in cognitive development, it is essential to understand the nature of semiotics. Semiotics is the study of sign systems.
Signs are representations humans develop which convey meaning.
Put simply, a sign is a unit of meaning. The complete system of signs in which a person develops is referred to as the semiosphere. This knowledge is a very personalized set of signs based on all a person has ever experienced or learned . It is influenced by culture, socio-economic status, language, religion, parent's education, and political climate. As it develops, the systems of signs a person adopts effects all new knowledge that is acquired.