Semilogy

1. Semiology

2. Semilogy Definition: The study of SIGNS Examines how symbolic, written and technical signs construct meaning Looks at how meaning is made and understood THE SIGNIFIER – The sign: a word, colour or image (i.e. the colour BLUE) THE SIGNIFIED – The concept/ meaning/associations that the sign refers to (i.e. BLUE is often associated with sadness or the sea etc.)

3. Semilogy Signifier: Red rose with a green stem Signifies: a symbol of passion and love - this is what the rose represents Signifier: Brown cross Signifies : a symbol of religion, or to be more specific this is a symbol of Christianity Signifier: Heart Signifies: a symbol of love and affection

4. Meaning All media texts have 2 layers of meaning DENOTATIVE LEVEL : what you actually see CONNOTATIVE LEVEL : the meaning you associate with what you see DENOTATIVE – surface meaning CONNOTATIVE – deeper or hidden meanings and associations

5. Cultural importance How we read a sign will depend on our culture. In Britain white is considered to be the sign of purity and innocence and is worn at weddings Yet in China white is the colour of mourning and is worn at funerals So we can look at anything, posters covers and ask what is being signified? But our reading would only be relevant for our culture.

6. Three types of signifier ICON- where the signifier resembles the signified, a photograph, a technical drawing, a pictorial representation all imitate or copy aspects of their subject INDEX –has factual or causal link that points towards subject. Wet streets would be a sign that it has rained, smoke signifies fire, a nest image is the icon of a nest but index of a bird SYMBOL – is where there is an arbitrary connection. Words and what they signify