Taken to the logical extreme, the question is: "how many intrinsic symbols do we need to convey any meaning when presented to a fully logical being", to which,

Taken to the logical extreme, the question is: "how many intrinsic symbols do we need to convey any meaning when presented to a fully logical being", to which, in my opininon, the answer is 1 (or 2, really, since 1 is only "possible"). You might not have words for it, but a fully logical being can decipher any bitstream given enough interactivity. So start from 1 and 0, form basis of mathematics and symbols, then start with physics from all the way bottom.