Signs: Order of signification

Question 1

Who was the theorist who came up with order of signification, and what does it mean?

Answer 1

Roland Barthes (1915-1980), means theres multiple layers of meaning

Question 2

Define denotation (signifier):

Answer 2

Dictionary definition of a sign - what u can see/hear

Question 3

Define connotation (signified):

Answer 3

Cultural, emotional, or conceptual meanings associated with the sign - associations made when interpreting the sign

Question 4

What is mythology?

Answer 4

Deeper reading of cultural meanings of a sign - the cultural mythologies a sign reinforces or challenges

Question 5

What is ideology?

Answer 5

Attitudes, values, + beliefs that the sign constructs - usually the dominant ideology of culture or a counter ideological perspective

Question 6

What can myths help to do?

Answer 6

Helps to establish ideologies within society - myths are ways that we share ideas about ourselves + society

Question 7

Give an example of a cultural myth:

Answer 7

Girls like pink and boys like blue

Question 8

What do ideologies help to do?

Answer 8

Make sense of reality

Question 9

What are the types of ideologies?

Answer 9

Marxist, capitalist, patriarchal, and feminist

Question 10

What are examples of western ideologies?

Answer 10

Individualism, democracy, freedom of speech

Question 11

What is dominant ideology?

Answer 11

The values, attitudes, + beliefs held by majority of ppl in society and benefitting those with most power

Question 12

What is hegemony?

Answer 12

Hidden ideological messages

Question 13

Describe the order of signification: (look in language book for more info)

Answer 13

• 1st order of signification: Denotation - identification of sign
• 2nd order: Connotation + myth - a signs associations which help construct a myth to explain aspects of society
• 3rd order: Ideology - Deeper pattern of meaning thats implicit in text. Text may reinforce/challenge dominant ideologies