Can we use Pictograms in a Long Term Communication System Related to a Radioactive Waste Repository? - 18301

Pictograms are often mentioned as a possible tool for sending messages about radioactive waste repositories in a far future, when the understand ability of our languages will have been lost. But they have also limits, related to the use of conventions that may fade over time. The goals of a signaling system for the long term may be (1) to alert (raise attention), (2) to inform of an underlying danger due to the existence of radioactive wastes, (3) to induce a favorable behavior (provoke or deter actions) in order not to disturb the performance of the repository. The quest for trans-cultural and trans-generational performance requires that some universal semiotic features be identified, shared by human beings of various cultures nowadays, and from far in the past to the present. Considering the typology of colors in various languages, the use of colors in ancient rock art and in children's drawings, a dedicated role may be assigned to each of the three colors, white, black and red/ocher, with a high potential for sustainable meaning: 1) red background = pay attention to this object because of the simple presence of the red color, that is to say the first color felt as color; 2) white inscription = absence of the object / action represented; 3) black inscription = presence of the object / action represented. The representation of a human body in movement inside a context is also understandable by people from various cultures. The combination of these 'semiotic primitives', used as relevant semantic features of the object and/or the experience to be represented, and 'topo-sensitive' criteria, used for pictogram production processes, would thus become a way to conceive a trans-cultural and trans-generational sign system for the signaling of radioactive danger. The choice of the stone could guarantee the durability of the support; the color could guarantee its visibility; and both could guarantee the transmission of the message. Combining these criteria could open the way to a long term communication system about radioactive waste repositories. (authors)