Semiotic Analysis

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Semiotic Analysis
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Making Meaning

• Language (texts) a system of signs
• Meaning not obvious, must be elicited
• Signs are arbitrary
• alphabet of deaf-mutes
• Relationships between signs components of signs
  is key

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Signs
Relationship is arbitrary, unmotivated, unnatural
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Symbols
Signifier Signified
Schoolhouse Education
Education
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Signs Symbols

• Relationship between sign symbol NOT wholly
  arbitrary
• Meanings of signs must be learned
• Structured associations
• Codes

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Codes

• Intelligible signifiers and signified agree

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Messages Meaning

• Everything sends a message
• Clothing
• Food
• Gestures
• Rituals
• Texts of all kinds

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Matching Meaning

• Connotation
• Figurative
• Signified
• Inferred
• Suggests meaning
• Realm of myth

• Denotation
• Literal
• Signifier
• Obvious
• Describes
• Realm of existence

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• Denotation
• Literal
• Signifier
• Obvious
• Describes
• Realm of existence

• Connotation
• Figurative
• Signified
• Inferred
• Suggests meaning
• Realm of myth

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• Denotation
• Literal
• Signifier
• Obvious
• Describes
• Realm of existence

• Connotation
• Figurative
• Signified
• Inferred
• Suggests meaning
• Realm of myth

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Semiotics

• How meaning is created conveyed
• Signs combinations of signified signifier
• Relationships between signs key
• Language is social institution
• All is text

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Intertextuality

• Conscious or unconscious
• Parody
• Style
• Genre
• Quote
• Homage

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Intertextuality

• Metaphor
• Like or as
• Metonomy
• Implied
• Association with known image
• Uncle Sam
• Cowboy hat
• Red rose

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Codes

• Based in socialization
• Can vary from transmitter to receiver of texts
• Cultural captial
• Toolset for understanding codes
• Some meanings easier to understand, taken for
  granted

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Codes

• Audiences negotiate meaning
• Intended meaning
• Negotiated meaning
• Oppositional meaning
• OJ
• LA Riots
• Cathy Freeman

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Intertextuality codes

• Appropriation
• Homage
• Signs/signified
• Cultural capital
• Social world

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Codes

• All-pervasive
• Specific
• Clear cut
• Personality, social roles, institutions, ideology
• Genre, formula
• Rituals, expectations

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Decoding Pulp Fiction

• Looking for oppositions
• Character
• Time period/cohesion
• Mood
• Power
• Sexuality

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Decoding Pulp Fiction

• What does the surveillance suggest?
• Why do both characters use drugs?
• What function does the car/booth serve?
• What is implied by hand-rolled cigarettes?
• What is the purpose of the dance?