#2 Midterm Saussure

Question 1

What is semiology

Answer 1

Semilology is the study of signs.

Question 2

Provide definitions for the following types of signs: icon, index, and symbol.

Answer 2

Types of signs (noted by Purse) are:

1. icon - resemblance… a sign that resembles the thing it is representing (Ex. cross)
2. index - proximity… a trace that refers to something (Ex. fingerprint, smell, or skid marks).
3. symbol - conventional… a sign created conventionally (Ex. stop sign).

Question 3

What is the difference between the signifier and the signified?

Answer 3

Saussure discusses the nature of linguistics signs and notes roles of the signifier and signified, both correlating with the sound-image and the concept. The difference is:

• Signifier is the same as sound-image. Essentially it is the sound or written word that is assigned to an object.
• Signified is the same as concept. It is the mental category in which the object is placed in the brain.

Question 4

Please list two attributes of the sign, and explain them.

Answer 4

Two attributes of the sign are:

1. It is arbitrary - there is no reason why a word should associate with a concept, except for the fact that we all agree upon it (it is completely random).
2. It is negative - the meaning is negatively derived between words. The meaning is in between words (ex. a marker is a marker because it is NOT a pen, it is NOT a pencil, it NOT a crayon, etc.)

Question 5

How does Picasso’s collage Violin, 1912, exemplify a symbolic mode of representation?

Answer 5

Picasso’s collage Violin, 1912, exemplifies symbolic mode of representation because of his use of newspaper. It could be considered an arbitrary piece but because of the placement it is seen as a sign. With the newspaper the violin is seen.