To a semiotician, a sign is not simply a direct means of communication, such as a stop sign or a restaurant sign or language itself. Rather, signs encompass body language (crossed arms, slouching), ways of greeting and parting (handshakes, hugs, waves), artifacts, and even articles of clothing.Ross Murfin and Supryia M. Ray The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms
Though I may not have gotten along with the argument of E. D. Hirsch, Jr.'s, I did find an interesting terms buried on the bottom of page 21, langue. It was even in italics. Bring on The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms! Well, it cross referenced to semiotics.
That is, "the study of signs, sign systems, and the way meaning is derived from them." The "langue" is involved because the "langue" is the system. Sounds like another set of terms for the benefit of the close reader.