Language Theories

Question 1

Barthes - Semiology

Answer 1

• The study of signs.
• ‘Denotation’ and ‘Connotation’
• Denotation and Connotation are organised into myths; their ideological meaning (e.g: bulldog activates the myth of britishness.)

Question 2

Todorov - Narratology

Answer 2

Basic narrative Structure:

1. State of Equilibrium
2. Disruption of Equilibrium
3. Conflict as the character attempts to respond to the disruption.
4. Resolution
5. New Equilibrium where the character has undergone a transformation which expresses what the narrative values.

Question 3

Neale - Genre Theory

Answer 3

• Genre as a set of generic codes and conventions are shared through repetition.
• This means genre is not fixed, but constantly evolving with each addition to the “generic corpus”
• Generic codes and conventions are also present in products that refer to other products such as critical writings (Neale calls this “intertextual relay”)

Question 4

Levi-Strauss - Structuralism and Binary Opposition

Answer 4

This is the study of hidden rules that govern a structure - LS thought that the human mind could be investigated by studying the fundamental structure of myths and fables.

• “Binary Opposition”: the idea that the system of myths and fables is ruled by a structure of opposing terms (good v evil, male v female etc.)
• This can have an ideological analysis.

Question 5

Baudrillard - Postmodernism

Answer 5

• Society has moved past modernism: modern society was organised around production of goods, post-modern society is organised around simulation.
• Previous social distinctions ‘implode’ as differences of gender, class etc dissolve in a world of simulation in which we construct our identities.
• The new world of “hyperreality” - more real than real - the consciousness is unable to tell the difference so the two worlds blend together.