Semiotics

The most simple possible definition of semiotics would be that it is the study of signs. However it is so much more complex than what may immeadiately spring to mind from this, it is not simply the study of road signs for example, or signs in communication. It is so much deeper, with thousands of possibilities of how to explain what it involves. Semiotics surrounds us and is an everyday part of our lives. invisible social laws which govern our understanding of the visual world and the way in which we communicate with one another.

An example of the way in which semiotics ties our spoken, written and visual language together is a rose. Firstly an image of a rose has the written word 'rose' attatched to it. This word also has the spoken sound in which saying the word 'rose' makes attatched to it. Thirdly it has the meaning of love as a widely known symbol of what what this image stands for. So from this one object comes three different meanings which are all linked together - the visual, written and verbal and symbolic. These can be known as sign, signifier and signified.

Thousands and thousands of everyday things have these 3 aspects of semiotics tied to them. Generally we do not tend to think about them, but they are very much present within our lives. Here is a clear example:

Dove ( the written or spoken word) - Sign

Dove ( image of the animal, or the actual animal) - Signifier

Peace - Signified. A dove is a worldwide symbol for peace.

(accessed 23 April 2012, http://www.releaseawhitedove.co.uk/)