SEMIOTICS!

 SEMIOTICS:

ENGLISH BY FORMER GREENFORD STUDENT TARUN THIND:

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

From the opening of the film the audience takes that the two main characters are causing trouble as "youths" this is shown through the hoodies, tramps and threatening thugs. 

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 film emphasises that just because the main characters are not saying anything and acting like violent youths with the pencil in his hand doesn't mean that they are bad people in this movie it was that the characters were silent/mute and couldn't communicate with their mouth, so they were trying to talk through their eyes. Being mute and not being able to talk can open many interpretations.

MEIDA MAGAZINE: MM68 PAGE 24:

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

Ferdinand de Saussure suggested that there are two parts that make up a sign. These parts are signified and signifier. The signified is the concept behind the object that is being represented and the signifier is the object, the word, the image or the action.

 What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

Polysemy is when a word, image, symbol has multiple meanings rather than a single meaning. For an example a full stop after a sentence on text, for your dad this could mean a grammatical pause in between a message but for your sister this could mean a harsh end to a conversation a way of showing her anger.

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

Signs that become naturalised means when a meaning is created and brought about it in society and then everyone gets to know about the newly constructed meaning it becomes accepted and agreed upon.  

 What is Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

• hermeneutic code/ enigma code: anything in the text that is unexplained that raises questions that the audience wants to be answered.
• proairetic code or action code: how chronological elements of action create meaning. if the protagonist does something for an example opens the door, the audience can assume that the person is leaving.
• semantic code: text that carry deeper meaning another word for this being connotations
• symbolic code: term used to describe anything that has a symbolic meaning e.g., red means danger.
• cultural code: text which refers to an external body of knowledge such as historical or scientific knowledge. For an example black power (in a particular part of the world during a particular time it means a lot but, in another place, it means nothing.

 How does the writer suggest Russian Doll (Netflix) uses narrative codes?

• The title acts like a symbolic code "when you open Russian matryoshka dolls, they get smaller and smaller" the Russian dolls helps us make sense of the narrative.
• The bowl of fruit is an example of the enigma code because it questions the audience on how the fruit seems to be moving at a time when the characters are not.

ICONS, INDEXES AND SYMBOLS:

Find two examples for each: icon, index and symbol. Provide images or links.

Icon:

Example 1: A mail icon

Example 2: A camera icon

Index:

Example 1: Dog paw

Example 2: A hazard icon

Symbol: 

Example 1: The word dog

Example 2: A female gender sign

Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?

icons are important because they provide the viewers a greater understanding as to what the text is trying to convey it would be difficult to understand anything if icons didn't exist. Indexes are also important because they show evidence on what's being represented this then gives the audience a deeper understanding on what is being conveyed.

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

Global brands try and avoid symbols in advertising because of the miscommunication that is caused. Some people may misinterpret some things because of the meaning the symbol has. The same symbol in some countries could mean something completely different to other countries. Therefore, global brands avoid using symbols so that a clearer direct message is presented to the viewers.

 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?

Starbucks releases a 9/11 ad. This is widely offensive due to controversy over their alleged 9/11 imagery. Most likely the Starbucks poster would not have been viewed as anything but an image of two frosty drinks amidst a summer setting of grass, butterflies, and a dragonfly if it hadn’t included the word “collapse” in its slogan, wording that was far more likely chosen for alliterative reasons than to launch a bizarre campaign to appeal to consumers by “capitalizing on the misfortunes of others.”

Find an example of a media text (e.g., advert) that successfully uses icons or indexes to create a message that can be easily understood across the world.

This is an advert from L'Oreal Paris. This is made for those many individuals that struggles to find a foundation colour that matched their skin tone due to the limited and common colours that were available. The slogan used alongside this advert "Because we are all worth it" give a positive message to the audience making everyone feel as if they are part of a community and not alone.