Semiotics is a theory by Roland Barthes. Semiotics is the study of the social production of meaning from sign systems. In other words, it is the analysis of anything that can stand for something else (Griffin 323). According to Barthes, a "sign" is the combination of the signifier and the signified. The "signifier" is the actual image of the sign, as we see it through our senses. The "signified" is the meaning we associate with the sign. Signs carry ideological baggage/meaning with them, wherever they go. This ideological baggage/meaning is called "connotation" (Griffin 324).
The example that I found to illustrate Roland Barthes' Semotics is the well-known Oscar. The Oscar is the award that is given out at the Academy Awards Ceremony.
The Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnGtmKEPko4 (The embedding option was disabled, so you have to go to the site)
The signifier is the golden Oscar statue. The signified is respect. In the movie industry, if you win an Oscar, you receive a great deal of respect from your fellow peers and the public. The prestige-building Ocsar statue.
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The theory of Semiotics was explained very well by Bret. The usage of the Oscars as an example gives a good perspective of how the theory works.
ReplyDeleteAnother example would be something such as a valentines day/birthday gift. The actual gift given is the signifier, it is something the person will use in a material sense. The signified aspect of given a gift, especially on Valentines day, would show your love, appreciation, and care for the receiver. This theory is used all the time. Almost anything has two levels of meaning, that can be interpreted on a surface level and a deeper level. Good post Bret.
The Ocars are signified as the best of the best in the movies. this is a perfect example of the theory of semiotics.
ReplyDeletebut you can use it in other ways to, like in the election Obama campain was run on the terms Hope and Change. and by the end of the election any time you saw his little logo you thought about Hope and Change.
The oscars do signify who the best are in film making for that year. That was a good way of showing the theory of semiotics. Almost anything that has a double meaning or can be interpreted by someone else differently could represent this theory.
ReplyDeleteThe Oscar i a great example of semiotics. Bret you used the example that the the little golden man signified respect and that is very true. The Oscar is presented to people every year and the winner in it's category earns a lifetime of respect from his/her peers for exemplary work in the industry.
ReplyDeleteThe Oscar also signifies something different for each one of the 24 recipients. Each Oscar is to be obtained for a certain category. So for one person it represents their hard work, dedication and excellence in acting while another in costume design, another in animation, and so forth.
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