Semiotics

Signifier and signified

A signifier can be a word image or object that represents something whereas a signified is what it represents. They can have a number of relationships between each other but 2 that stand out are that you can have 1 signifier with numerous signifieds and that you can have different signifiers with 1 signified.  For example the sign to the right is the signifier and elderly people is what is signified, however it can also mean that drivers must be cautious. Similarly a signifier for elderly people can be the sign but can also be the sound of their voice.

Icon

An icon is an image which represents something else. It has some degree of resemblance to what it is representing however this can vary from a small simple shape to a very detailed portrait or photograph. The image on the left represents an icon used often to represent the red hot chili peppers whereas the photo on the right of the band can also be considered an icon.

Index

When there is a causal link between the signifier and the signified the relationship is said to be indexical. For example smoke is a signifier and is caused by fire, ticking is representative of , and is caused by, a clock and when a recorded voice is the signifier a person speaking is the signified. For example this trail of destruction to the right was caused by and therefore signifies a hurricane.

Intention

The intention behind an image causes us to see it in a different light. the more or less we know about the artist and the creation of an image colours our view of it. Knowing the political or religious beliefs of the artist may cause us to see meaning in an image which is not there for example. The image to the left for example shows a man dressed peculiarly  stood in front of a line of policemen. At first and with no other information to go on this seems fairly nonsensical  and abstract however after the popularity of the movie V for Vendetta, these clothes and that mask have come to represent revolution and protest of the government and so suddenly the man as well as the police take on a new more sinister meaning.

Noise

Noise in this context is the distortion or alteration of the meaning of a message.  As language, both written and spoken changes the meanings of symbols are often lost in the passage of time due to misinterpretation.

Destination

The destination of a message is essentially when it is received and decoded. However due to the quality of the message, the ambiguity of a message, or the failure of the transmission of a message, what arrives at it's destination is not always the same message that was sent.  To the right is the cross of saint Peter which , due to the noise which affects its message, has in modern times stopped representing the saint and has reached its destination as a satanist symbol effectively meaning the opposite of what it is supposed to stand for.


Images taken from:
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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/63909000/jpg/_63909392_lemlattimernyc.jpg
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http://www.justpushstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rock-band-cutting-list.jpg
http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-700/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/4/1/1238597223398/G20-Protests-G20-Protest--003.jpg
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