THAT SEMIOTICS STUFF!!!

The theory of signs and symbols in language and the meanings they convey.

Semiotics is the process of signs being made, noticed and understood.  It involves two parts which are the Signifier and the Signified.

The Signifier is the physical form= what we see straight up
The Signified is the mental concept= what comes to mind



The sign DOG signifies D-O-G whether it’s written, spoken, typed or the physical presence of a dog that’s been filmed, photographed or drawn. Whereas the signified is the mental concept of what’s being viewed. For instance looking at the image (signifier) below we have automatically signified it’s a:

• Dog
• Scooby Doo
• 4 legged
• Long waggly tail
• Man's best friend [Shaggy]
• Dislikes Cats
• Pet

 

We all have our own understanding of what the signifier is, so what may be a dog, which is simply a pet to me, may be a religious source of high power to someone else in another culture.