Semiotics: blog tasks

 Part 1:English by Tarun Thind analysis

1) What meanings are the audience encouraged to take about the two main characters from the opening of the film?

In the opening of the film the characters portray stoic/serious expressions and the viewers are made to assume them to be trouble makers based on their clothing style and the fact that the film is based in rural london. even without words the characters appear to be causing the homeless man distress in a way, we at first viewed to be torment. 

2) How does the end of the film emphasise de Saussure’s belief that signs are polysemic – open to interpretation or more than one meaning?

The ending of the film completely alters the viewers initial perception of the story and its characters, now that we are aware of the fact that both of them are deaf it changesthe previous interactions they had for example when they got g checked viewers would have orgionally thought that he didnt speak in order to resolve conflict but now we are aware he most likely had no idea what they were doing and just thought they were a threat on his life which is why he was ready to add a pencil. This emphasises saussures belief that signs are polysemic as the viewers perception was altered by the use of sign language.

Part 2:Media Magazine theory drop - Semiotics 

1) What did Ferdinand de Saussure suggest are the two parts that make up a sign?

Signifier and the Signified

2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

Open to interpretation more than one meaning

3) What does Barthes mean when he suggests signs can become ‘naturalised’?

the process by which socially constructed ideas become widely accepted and unquestioned as part of a culture

4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

• Hermeneutic Code (Enigma Code):

  • Refers to anything mysterious or unexplained in the text, raising questions for the audience.
  • Common in media and film, helping engage viewers by creating intrigue.

• Proairetic Code (Action Code):

  • Relates to actions in a sequence that suggest what will happen next (e.g., picking up car keys implies leaving the house).
  • Simple but sometimes hard to identify.

• Semantic Code:

  • Refers to elements that carry deeper, implied meaning (i.e., connotations).
  • Synonymous with the term "connotations."

• Symbolic Code:

  • Describes anything with symbolic meaning (e.g., colors representing ideas—white for purity, red for danger or love).

• Cultural Code:

  • Refers to elements that connect to external knowledge, such as historical or cultural references.
  • Example: A Black Power salute, which has a specific meaning in a particular cultural context

Part 3:Icons, indexes and symbols

1)

Icon: literal sign 

Index: implied sign

Symbol: learned sign 

2) Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?

they can help interpret the intended meaning of a producer


3) Why might global brands try and avoid symbols in their advertising and marketing?

They use brands to create an imagined global identity that they share with like-minded people.

4) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) where the producer has accidentally communicated the wrong meaning using icons, indexes or symbols. Why did the media product fail? (This web feature on bad ads and marketing fails provides some compelling examples).