当今使用的各种数据视觉化形式都可以追溯至这种“图画文字”。

All sorts of formats for data visualisation in use today can be traced back to these "Isotypes".

表意文字(象形文字)：图画文字的一种。绘画象形符号，表达物品；并表达由它所引起的联想意念或概念。中文字是一种表意文字。

Ideogram: a form of picture writing in which a symbol may represent the object drawn or the ideas or meanings associated with it. Chinese characters are a form of ideogram.