Semiotics
when looking at signs within a image, there has always been a difference of opinions when it comes to the correct or most relevant interpretation of the role and meaning of semiotics.
According to the book produced by Daniel Chandler*, entitled “Semiotics the basics”, the most well known and easily understood meaning by a person of todays age is called Umberto Eco ‘semiotics is concerned with everything that can be taken as a sign’ (Eco 1976). The visual sign, as well as the the associated meanings that come with it.
A simple straight forward dove, when thought about from a non semiotic approach is easily understandable, the signifier a white bird whilst the signified meaning can be related and interrupted as peace, not automatically associated with it. This is due to the associations and meanings we the viewer have placed upon everyday objects/ items or people, these ideas and associations have been effected by numerous variants, including culture politics or currently on topic issues.
The two main theorists Saussure and Peirce who are often regarded as the founders of semiotics employ different but comparable ideas of the subject. This is described by Saussure as, ‘a science which studies the roles of signs as part of social life’.
Compared to Peirce who described it as. ‘logic in a general sense is semiotics.....signs used by a scientific intelligence, that is to say by a intelligence capable of learning from experience.’
Compared to Peirce who described it as. ‘logic in a general sense is semiotics.....signs used by a scientific intelligence, that is to say by a intelligence capable of learning from experience.’
Peirce and Sassure agree that to make semiotics work, its hugely defined and represented by todays culture and understanding.
Daniel Chandler (2002). Semiotics the basics . 2nd ed. Oxon
