Top Banner
Semiotics To understand semiotics and how to apply this to media texts
25
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: Semiotics

Semiotics

To understand semiotics and how to apply this to media texts

Page 2: Semiotics

Write down the purpose of as many of these apps as you can.

Page 3: Semiotics

iPhone apps

Each app has it’s own different capabilities. A person could be aware of what each one does by the image alone. Some images directly match their purpose, for example the clock. However others such as the calculator, feature images you would associate with a calculator.

Page 4: Semiotics

Semiotics

• The study of signs.• Also of anything which stands for 'something

else'.

Page 5: Semiotics

What do you see here?

If you said Swastika, explain what it is.

The swastika is an ancient Indian symbol representing permanent spiritual victory.

Page 6: Semiotics

Official team jersey of the Native American Basketball Team [1909] proudly displaying a very large swastika.

Before the 1930s, members of the 45th Infantry Division of the United States Army proudly wore on their left shoulders an ancient "good luck" symbol, the swastika, in yellow on a square red background.

Page 7: Semiotics

However most people will probably associate the symbol with this

Page 8: Semiotics

Semiotics We read images and pictures in an attempt to

decode them and make sense of what they mean to us.

• Denotation – What we see when we look at an image (what it is)

• Connotation – What we understand from this image (what other meanings it has)

Page 9: Semiotics

What are the denotations and connotations of these colours?

AngerLove

NegativityAggressionSocialism

CommunismDangerBloodHeat

Passion

CalmColdIce

BoysWater

SadnessRoyalty

TruenessConservatism

EnvyGreedNatureGrowthGrassYouth

MoneyInexperience

SicknessSt Patricks Day

CowardiceSunshineElectricityHappinessSummerCaution

Hope

Page 10: Semiotics

Now try it with the following images

Page 11: Semiotics
Page 12: Semiotics

Ok.... So what’s all this signs jiggery pokery got to

do with media studies

I want you guys to analyse the following image and come up with as many denotations and connotations as you can.

Page 13: Semiotics
Page 14: Semiotics

Denotations• This poster promotes a new series of the TV show Glee on E4.• The pupils are on stage, while the two teachers stand either side of them• The shows title is in lights in the back ground, although the last letter

appears broken and has smoke coming out of it.• The Glee club members are all posing like they are performing.• All characters look happy aside from Sue and Quinn. Sue is pulling out a

plug, Quinn has her hands on her hips.• Mr Shue, Sue, Finn and Rachel are the prominent characters in the

foreground.• Each glee club character has a distinctive and different choice of clothing.

The clothes are different shades of blue.• They are from different ethnic backgrounds and are different shapes and

sizes.• Both Quinn and Sue have blonde hair and are in red sports attire.

Page 15: Semiotics

Connotations• Mr Shue and Sue stand either side of the pupils indicating they are oppositional forces.• Mr Shue’s body language, leaning back with his hands in his pockets suggests he is a laid

back person.• Sue is literally pulling out a plug. The wire connects to the letter E which is smoking. This

added to the look on her face indicates that she will be looking to take out the Glee club. • The layout of the letters along with the smoking E, indicates that the show will have a

chaotic nature. It is on stage, suggesting it is about performers.• The bright lights and colours suggest it will be fun.• Fin and Rachel are positioned in the centre of the stage. They are acting out a love scene,

which suggests that their romance will be one of the shows key aspects.• The Glee clubs different images indicates that they are all individuals but the same colour

blue indicates that they are all in this together. The connotations of Blue are the sea and the sky, it is peaceful and natural.

• Sue and Quinn are in uniform. They have conformed. The colour red can also signify danger. Quinn has her hands on her hips signifying aggression. Blonde hair can suggest Arian and therefore the Nazi party. They would want to eradicate anything dissimilar to them.

• Finn also is wearing sports attire, however it is the same colour as that of the Glee club. It suggests that he is breaking away from his life of conformity to join them.

• Miss Pillsbury’s body position, holding her hands by her heart suggests that she is in love with Mr Shue. The distance from him and the fact that he is paying no attention to her suggests it is unrequited.

Page 16: Semiotics

How audiences read a text

Page 17: Semiotics

Stuart Hall

Cultural theorist Stuart Hall developed a theory (rather imaginatively called Hall’s theory). According to this, audiences can have different reactions to a media text, whether it be a film, documentary, newspaper or even an image.

Page 18: Semiotics

Preferred and Oppositional Readings

• Preferred Reading: How the creator wants the audience to view the media text.

• Oppositional Reading: Where the intended meaning of the text is totally opposed by the reader.

Page 19: Semiotics
Page 20: Semiotics

1950’s Kenwood Advert

Preferred Reading

• A woman’s purpose is to serve her husband. She is smiling, so she is perfectly happy to do this. She knows her place . The man is the breadwinner. He will give her the product.

Oppositional Reading

• This is a sexist view. A woman’s place is not in the kitchen. They are equal to men. If she wants one of these products she will go out and get it for herself. Her husband can use it to cook for her as well.

Page 21: Semiotics

Example Images

Page 22: Semiotics
Page 23: Semiotics
Page 24: Semiotics
Page 25: Semiotics