Barthes Semiotics Theory Flashcards
What do cultural messages and conventions do?
Our actions and thoughts, what we do automatically, are often governed by a complex set of cultural messages and conventions, and dependent upon our ability to interpret them instinctively and instantly.
What is the Traffic Lights example?
When we see them we instantly know how to react. This is a sign that has been established by cultural convention over a long period of time and which we learn as children, and requires a deal of unconscious knowledge to understand its meaning.
What is Semiotics?
Semiotics is the study of signs. A sign in this context means something that conveys meaning - for example a written or spoken word, symbol, myth.
What does Semiotics tradition do?
Semiotic tradition explores the study of signs and symbols as a significant part of communications.
What are the three types of signs?
1) Iconic signs - Icons are signs where meaning is based on similarity of appearance. 2) Indexical signs - A cause and effect relationship between the sign and the meaning of the sign. There is a direct link between the two. 3) Symbolic signs - These signs have an arbitrary or conventional link.
How can we break the case into two parts?
The signifier and the signified. The signifier is the thing, item or code we read (drawing, word, photo).
What is the signified?
The signifier and the signified. The signifier is the thing, item or code we read (drawing, word, photo).
