Semiosis

A big hello to all here. I am new and this is my first post.

Has anyone read about or studied semiosis? How old is this science of signs? Are there popular opinions from the scientific and research community about its validity, relevance and/or importance as a science? Has it developed and matured as a science that continued research can be based on? Any information on where current research stands?

I realise these are huge open-ended questions but I'm hoping someone would have studied this to the extent of being able to offer at least an opinion if not factual information.

I am totally at a loss and would appreciate any and every kind of help.

Thanks a whole bunch!

-asterisk

P.S. Since is inter-disciplinary ( it spans pattern-matching, cognition etc. and also the foundation of scientific theory), I am posting this in the General Science forum as well.)