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Semiotics

Updated: Sep 24, 2019

Semiotics:

The study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behaviour (Dictionary.com, 2015)


Denotation:

Literal associations or direct meaning with the object/word/expression (Dictionary.com, 2015)


Connotation:

Something suggested or implied by a word or thing, rather than being explicitly named or described (Dictionary.com, 2015)


Saussure

Signifier

The sign, be it an image, icon, word, phrase or expression


Signified

The meaning behind the sign


Peirce

Icon

The sign that stands for an object

Index

The causal link between sign and object

Symbol

The use of words, phrases or images to associate the icon to the object


Capture

Signifier: rhino, car

Signified: robust, stable, strong, earthy neutral colours


Capture 1

Signifier: officer, moustache, pointing hand

Signified: authority, trust, statement making, and call for action


Capture2

Denotation: Incorrect reflection. She is seeing herself as being different to what she looks like

Connotation: What she thinks she sees doesn’t match what she is; it is implying that she isn’t able to understand that she has an eating disorder.


Capture3

Denotation: 3 named human hearts; this grabs attention using a very specific shock tactic

Connotation: the fact that all the hearts look very similar yet the names imply races of the previous owners of the hearts. It shows that racism is not required if we are all the same inside


Capture4

Denotation: children holding a gun and a kinder egg, the caption says that one of them has been banned for the good of the children

Connotation: the fact that we know that the law allows guns in America, we deduct that the one made illegal is the confectionery, which is far less dangerous than the gun

Capture5

Denotation: Key from the car in bottom left corner has what looks like a Savannah plain instead of grooves. The text also states that it is able to achieve over 620 miles on a single tank

Connotation: the key graphic implies that using the mileage of the car, you will be able to either make it to Africa on one tank or use the car in Africa due to its off-roading capabilities


Bibliography

Briton needs you. (2008). [image] Available at: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2232/2866519274_940780b31c.jpg [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Creative Bloq, (2014). Turn on your adventure. [image] Available at: http://media.creativebloq.futurecdn.net/sites/creativebloq.com/files/images/2013/08/Volkswagensafari.jpg [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Dictionary.com, (2015). the definition of connotation. [online] Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/connotation [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Dictionary.com, (2015). the definition of denotation. [online] Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/denotation [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Dictionary.com, (2015). the definition of semiotics. [online] Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/semiotics [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Medical daily, (2013). Bulimia. [image] Available at: http://images.medicaldaily.com/sites/medicaldaily.com/files/styles/headline/public/2013/08/04/0/76/7688.jpg [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

medical daily, (2013). Bulimia. [image] Available at: http://images.medicaldaily.com/sites/medicaldaily.com/files/styles/headline/public/2013/08/04/0/76/7688.jpg [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Mitsubishi. (2015). [image] Available at: http://edcanvas-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1206738/local/1441178789/AFRP_6644790_34444477A.JPG [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

Moms demand action, (2015). One of these. [image] Available at: http://www.emlii.com/images/article/2014/05/5388874ba64cb.jpeg [Accessed 5 Oct. 2015].

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