Definitions

  1. Barthes – Barthes created the theory of semiotics, showing that the portrayals of knowledge is influenced by the bourgeoise
  2. Pierce – created the sign theory
  3. Saussure – a swiss linguist, he introduced structuralism in linguistics
  4. Semiotics – the study of signs and symbols, their interpretation and meaning.
  5. Sign – a set of items in a langauge that mean different things
  6. Signifier – a symbol, sound or word that represents an underlying concept of meaning eg table, words on a page. (saussure)
  7. Signified – the meaning or idea expressed by a sign. (saussure)
  8. Icon – a sign which has a characteristic in common with the thing it symbolises, for example, snarl pronounced in a snarling way.
  9. Index – a sign pointing to a context in which is occurs
  10. Symbol – a sign which has a random or arbitrary link based on shared knowledge or agreement
  11. Code -a system of words, letters or numbers used to encode a secret message
  12. Dominant Signifier – a dominating signifier that is widely known and accepted
  13. Anchorage – a dominant sign that fixes down a specific meaning
  14. Ideology – codes that reinforce or are congruent with structures of power. It works mostly by creating forms of “common sense” of the taken for granted in everyday life.
  15. Paradigm – a set of substitutional relationships a linguistic unit has with other units in a specific context
  16. Syntagm – a linguistic unit consisting of linguistic forms (words, phrases) that are in a sequence
  17. Signification – the representation or conveying of meaning
  18. Denotation – the most basic meaning of a sign. E.g, seeing a rose and recognising it as a flower.
  19. Connotation – a certain meaning attached to a word, phrase or item
  20. Myth – a combination of paradigms and syntagms that make up an oft told story with elaborate cultural associations.
  21. Radical text – challenges everyday accepted myths
  22. Reactionary text – enforces everyday accepted myths

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