This article describes a visual language comprised of abstract shapes that has been shown to be effective in communicating prior knowledge between and within members of a small team or group. The visual language includes a set of geometric shapes and rules that guide the construction of the abstract diagrams that are the external representation of the visual language. The underlying cognitive processes are framed within the context of the visual language making unconscious conceptualizations external and visible. The outcome of using the visual language and performing the diagramming technique is the creation of a mental model that can be shared when communicating ideas across cultural and international borders. [For the full proceedings, see ED581791.]