Semiotics Flashcards
What is a signifier
It’s the physical form of a sign (sound, image, word)
What is a signified
It’s the concept a sign represents
Connotation
The cultural, emotional, or associative meaning of a sign
Myth (Connotation)
Culturally constructed meanings that appear natural or universal
Denotation
The literal, straight-forward meaning
Iconic Sign
A sign that resembles what it represents
Symbolic sign
A sign where the relationship between signifier and signified is arbitrary and learned through culture
Indexical
A sign that has a direct, causal connection to what it represents.
Implied Narrative
A story suggested by an image, scene, or sign without being explicitly stated.
Polysemy
The ability of a sign to have multiple meanings depending on context and interpretation.
Intertextuality
The way in which texts reference, influence, or borrow meaning from other texts.
Anchorage
The use of text (like captions or headlines) to direct the interpretation of an image.
Metonymy
A sign where an associated element represents a whole concept.
Différance
The meaning of a sign is always deferred (delayed) and differs in context, making language unstable.
Langue
The overall system of language, including grammar and structure, shared by a community.
