CTS SEMINAR 4 - an introduction to semiotics

• the science of studying signs
• SIGN = technical word for meaning in culture
• reading images in an academic process
• studying how things mean not what they mean
• born out of linguistics
• about reading culture and cultural codes - systems of signs that link together to form communication
• (slide 5) man on the right - adhering to a fashion - conforming
• man in the middle is anti-conformative
• you have to read the fashion as a code or test - what is the symbol of the mans tie? fashion? smart looking? sensible?
• sometimes these codes are only apparent when certain parts are challenged
• semiotics look at this and where they started or are from
• The word 'DOG' has nothing to do with a Dog it's just a scripted way of referencing to it
• (lides 10,11 and 12) How is a sign made up/
• type is a signal for language but it can be a signifier in its own right
• a signifier DENOTES something - basic understanding of the sign + CONNOTES something - deeper underlying or associational meanings
• (slide 18) its trying to tap into a hole history of meanings and relationships
• MYTH comes into play within the realm of connotation
• MYTH = where the connotations become signifiers themselves and therefore denote signs as well
• in society some quite 'dodgy' myths have become part of the culture e.g. black is evil, satanic and bad whereas white is pure, angelic and good
• myths are hard to spot because they seem so natural to us.
• DAILY STAR ANALYSIS EXERCISE
• designed to be aimed at tabloid readers
• the image is making katie look innocent ad everything's happy and fine portraying the 'X Factor' glamorous lifestyle of being in the limelight and on TV
• he text is doing the opposite the word 'porn' is used which is not so glamorous show theres more underneath.
• red of the text and the contrasts of black and white are dramatising the idea of shock and severity of the article. Scarlet letters in away the paint and tarnish her perfect lifestyle, an angel falling from grace in some respects
• the whole front cover is a myth of what the working class, especially men, would be interested in (football, TV, Cricket etc...)
• mythic in the sense of women being singers, porn stars, sexualisation - men as footballers, cricketers and so on
• its gossiping generally, not what you would class as news, or at least news thats on a need to know basis. It doesn't have an impact on our lives just our views of a particular celebrity or football team or manager etc...