Semiotics

Part 1) English by Tarun Thind analysis

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

From the short film the audience are introduced to the two main characters who are mindlessly hanging around in the park. Their attire is casual and baggy which can communicate them being part of a gang. Their movement could also insinuate a childish mindset where the first boy is intrigued by the object whereas the second is quite playful with the harmonica. This can highlight the main characters strong friendship as they stood up for each other against the drunk old man.

2) How does the end of the film emphasise de Saussure’s belief that signs are polysemic – open to interpretation or more than one meaning?

By the end, we are focusing on the two boys who are revealed to be deaf by the use of sign language to communicate. Not only this but the boys also show their knowledge on political figures which indicates how instead of being in a gang and engaging in physical violence they are educated. This could make the audience question their end goal in this film from their unusual actions.

Part 2) Media Magazine theory drop: Semiotics 

Greenford Media department has a subscription to Media Magazine - a brilliant magazine designed exclusively for A Level Media students and published four times a year. We strongly recommend you read it regularly and also set plenty of work for the course based on the articles inside. You can find our Media Magazine archive here and for this task need to go to MM68 (page 24) to read the introduction to Semiotics. Once you've read it, answer the following questions:

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

There is the signifier which is the thing that does the communication and the signed which is the thing communicated.

2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

It means that is is open to interpretation or can have more than one meaning.

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

When signs are used to make myths accepted beliefs and therefore they become naturalised in our society.

4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

These are: Hermeneutic (action codes), Proairetic (action), Semantic codes, Symbolic codes and Cultural codes.

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

The writer suggests how the title as a symbolic code as the symbol of the Russian doll helps to make sense of the narrative. They talk about how at some point early on in this show there a close up on the fruit bowl that is entirely rotten and how only thee most observant viewers will see this. This is show to be an example of an enigma code as u understand over time  that certain things take meaning that's the process of signification. The writer also explains how the use of violin music tells us that this is an emotional scene, its semiotics.

Part 3) Icons, indexes and symbols

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

Icon: A cat   

Index: A Paw

Symbol: Word cat

2) Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?

They allow the audience to communicate with the symbol or to find evidence of what's being represented. 

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

Many people may not know or understand symbols as they have not ben taught this alphabet or numbers. It could also be because of the language barrier as they want to advertise their market globally and in order for people to understand this product they need icons.

4) 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? (This web feature on bad ads and marketing fails provides some compelling examples).

This media product failed as it did not clearly state its intentions of how the person receiving this message was not actually being stalked but receiving a gift of a car. Disclaiming a message to counter this and putting their car logo on it would have prevented the poorly marketing.

5) 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 advert was successful with its use of icons, index and even a symbol. Even without they symbol the views are able to understand from the strong women who subverts typical female housewife stereotypes. Her muscles are the index where views find the evidence of the female not wanting to give up and staying committed to fighting for her rights. The symbol of the writing 'I can do it' influences the idea of not fiving up and encouraging other females to join in and subvert their expectations and positions in society.