Final answer:
A symbol that represents actual words in a language is called a logogram. Logograms are part of a logographic system which uses individual symbols to stand for words or morphemes, facilitating communication and cultural transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
A symbol that represents actual words in a language rather than concepts is called a logogram. Logograms are characters in a writing system that represent a word or a morpheme (the smallest meaningful unit of language). One of the most renowned examples of logograms can be found in Chinese characters, where each character corresponds to a spoken word. Logographic systems are distinct from phonetic systems, where symbols represent sounds, in that they communicate meaning through individual symbols that stand for whole words or concepts. Conversely, iconography refers to a collection of illustrations and symbols specific to a subject or theme, often found in art.
Ideographs, on the other hand, are symbols that represent an idea or concept, but not a specific word in a language. The terms syllabogram denotes a character that represents a syllable rather than an entire word. In the context of language, symbols are crucial because they facilitate communication and the transmission of culture. Whether through logograms or other symbol systems, the representation of language allows us to express complex ideas and maintain a shared understanding across diverse communities.