Lecture on Semiotics and Cultural Analysis

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to semiotics and cultural analysis as discussed in the lecture.

Roland Barthes

A French literary theorist and semiotician known for his influential works in cultural analysis, particularly in semiotics.

Charles Sanders Peirce

An American philosopher and logician who developed a comprehensive semiotic framework extending beyond language.

Ferdinand de Saussure

A Swiss linguist whose work laid the groundwork for modern semiotics, exploring the nature of signs.

Arbitrariness of the Sign

The concept that there is no inherent connection between a signifier and its meaning; this relationship is constructed through social agreement.

Denotative Meaning

The straightforward and literal interpretation of signs or symbols in communication.

Connotative Meaning

Meaning that includes implied or suggested interpretations shaped by cultural and societal contexts.

Cultural Connotations

Specific meanings associated with symbols or practices within a culture, providing insights into their interpretations.

Ideologies

Constructs conveying meanings that reflect dominant social, political, and economic interests, often perpetuating the status quo.

Mythic Meaning

A layer of signification that reveals deep cultural assumptions and societal worldviews influencing collective consciousness.

Langue

The underlying system of language including rules and conventions shared by a speech community.

Parole

The actual instances of speech or writing produced by individuals, showing variation and context-dependence. Physical Speech

Sign

A unit of meaning consisting of a signifier and a signified, emphasizing their arbitrary relationship.

Signifier

The physical manifestation of a sign, such as a word or symbol.

Signified

The mental concept or image associated with a signifier.

Social Conventions

Broader societal standards or expectations related to behaviours and attributes.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified generalizations or assumptions about people based on characteristics, often ignoring individual differences.

Third-Order Signification

Barthes’ concept exploring deeper meanings conveyed by signs, including denotative, connotative, and mythic layers.