SEMIOTICS

The simple definition of semiotics is that semiotics are the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. A sign is made up of a signifier and signified (with words) the signifier is for example, the letters of the word e.g. C.A.T and the signified is the image of the cat .

SIGN = SIGNIFIER + SIGNIFIED

Word = LETTERS + IMAGE

        ^ SYMBOLIC^

Symbolic signs

We had to learn that the letters,which  make up different words and if  they represent an image they are symbolic.Some more examples of symbolic signs would be :


The peace sign:

The loo sign:

 A school sign:

Iconic signs



Iconic signs resemble what they represent,for example:

PHOTOGRAPH = PHOTO OF SOMETHING+ MEANING / IMAGE OF A THING

                                 

For example:

This photograph is of a  car - It  is Iconic.It resembles what the picture represents,it is simply a car.

This photograph is of a fish-It is iconic,it resembles a fish:

Indexical signs

Indexical signs indicate something by association.
For example :

For a picture of smoke it is indexical of fire.For a picture of steam it is indexical of water.

 This advert indicates heat and that the girl is thirsty because many things are melted,therefore it is indexical of heat.

Denotation and Connotations 

Denotation: denotation is when a sign refers to the literal meaning of the signified concept.
Connotation: Is when a sign refers to the meanings associated with the signified referent or concept.

For example:


  Dennotaton: This rose denotates  that it is a red rose with a green stem.
  Connotation:The connotation  is that this symbolises love and passion.

Anchorage and Polysemy

Polysemy: Is when you look at a photo and the photo could mean many different things,generally we are open minded when we look at photos-a photo could mean many things.

Anchorage: However anchorage means the ability of a photo  which is accompanied by text or sound to focus the message of an image so that it is interpreted in a specific way according to what the writer/journalist  etc wants.

The Jon Venables case

If you saw this photo above without knowing anything about the case you would think that he was just a sweet little boy.However if you read newspaper articles about the case and what he did your opinion would change quickly and dramatically .For instance ,if you read: " two-year-old he tortured to death...responsible for a shocking crime...killed a 3 year old ..murdered" .This would change anyone`s opinion of the boy very quickly.