Media theorists - language Flashcards
What is Barthes theory?
Barthes theory is semiotics.
It is the theory that texts communicate their meanings through a process of signs.
The order of signs which create meaning: denotation, connotation, myth, ideology
What is included in Barthes semiotics theory about codes?
Barthes stated that there are different codes in media products which create meaning:
- Hermeneutic/engima code - mysterious parts of a media product
- Proairetic codes - signifies something is about to happen
- symbolic codes - symbols which we associate with something
- Semantic codes - parts of media products which we understand to have a hidden meaning
- Cultural codes - parts of a media product you can only understand if you are a part of that culture etc
What is Neales theory?
Neales theory is genre theory.
He believed that genres are made up of repetition and difference, such as conventional acts.
There are repeated acts in films which become a part of a specific genre.
Audiences enjoy the familiarity of repeated acts / conventions, however they also enjoy the difference in certain genres
What is strauss’ theory?
Strauss’ theory is structuralism.
Strauss believes that producers purposefully place binary opposites in media products to create conflict, drama, and increase entertainment.
Binary opposition can create meaning.
What is baudrillards theory?
Baudrillards theory is postmodernism.
He believed that we have left our reality behind and we are now in our own artificial reality (heightened reality) due to the media.
He believed that we end up with artificial copies of real things = simulacra
Simulacrum is a copy of something with very little link to reality.
Hyperreality is where simulacra becomes hard to tell apart from reality
What is todorov’s theory?
Todorov’s theory is narratology.
He believed that every narrative follows a 3 part structure:
- equilibrium
- disruption
- new equilibrium
What is propps theory?
Propps theory is character theory.
Propp believed that there are certain character types which appear in most narratives:
- Hero
- villain
- damsel in distress/princess
- helper
- dispatcher
- donor
- false hero
- father of princess
Who are all the language theorists?
- Barthes
- Neale
- Levi Strauss
- Baudrillard
- Todorov
- Propp
What are all the language theories?
Barthes - semiotics
Neale - genre theory
Strauss - structuralism
Baudrillard - postmodernism
Todorov - narratology
Propp - character types
