Semiotics

Question 1

Anchorage

Answer 1

Fixes meaning between pictures and text

Question 2

Arbitrary/symbolic sign/symbol

Answer 2

A sign which has no physical resemblance and no clear link to what it signifies, but the meaning of it is culturally acquired eg road traffic signs

Question 3

Paradigm

Answer 3

Class of objects or concepts which are all members of a defining category but markedly different in themselves. The use of one paradigm over another shapes the meaning of a text.

(Choice of one thing over another which changes the overall meaning)

Question 4

Syntagm

Answer 4

Chain of signs, an element which follows another in a particular sequence. There is a relationship between the signs

Question 5

Index/Indexical sign

Answer 5

Where there is a causal relationship between the signifier and the signified eg sweat is an index for hard work

Question 6

Icon/Iconic signs

Answer 6

Signifier that resembles its signified eg a photo of a dog is an icon of a dog

Question 7

Code

Answer 7

A system used to create meaning

Question 8

Connotation

Answer 8

The process of analysing the meaning of a sign/analysing the signified

Question 9

Denotation

Answer 9

The process of analysing the signifiers of a sign – a literal description of what you can see or hear.

Question 10

Decoding

Answer 10

When audiences interpret a text

Question 11

Encoding

Answer 11

The intended meaning in a text

Question 12

Myth

Answer 12

The way in which certain signs contribute to ideologies in our society

Question 13

Polysemic

Answer 13

A sign that has more than one meaning

Question 14

Sign

Answer 14

Sum of the signifier plus signified

Question 15

Signified

Answer 15

The meaning that is intended from a sign

Question 16

Signifier

Answer 16

Works with signified to combine into a sign