Semiotics

 

In this lesson we learned the definitions of the words, denotation and conotation.

Denotation is the literal meaning of a word

Conotation is what the words implies or suggests.

We've also been learning about semiotics in media, which is the study of signs and symbols and their uses.

Signs are made up of two things; the signifier and the signified.

The signified is the concept that the signifier refers to.

The signifier is any material thing that signifies. For example, words on a page, facial expression or an image. The signifier is the actual meaning of the object.

There are three different types of signs:

Iconic,

Indexical,

and Symbolic.

An iconic sign is where the signifier resembles the signified for example a picture of a photograph.

An indexical sign is where the signifier is caused by the signified for example, smoke signifies fire.

A symbolic sign is where tghe relation between the signifier and the signified is conventional and culturally specific e.g most words.