Making Meaning
Language (texts) a system of signs Meaning not obvious, must be elicited Signs are arbitrary
– “alphabet of deaf-mutes” Relationships between signs &
components of signs is key
Signs & Symbols
Relationship between sign & symbol NOT wholly arbitrary
Meanings of signs must be learned– Structured associations– Codes
Messages & Meaning
Everything sends a message– Clothing– Food– Gestures– Rituals– Texts of all kinds
Matching Meaning
Connotation Figurative Signified Inferred Suggests meaning Realm of myth
Denotation Literal Signifier Obvious Describes Realm of existence
Denotation
Literal
Signifier
Obvious
Describes
Realm of existence
Connotation
Figurative
Signified
Inferred
Suggests meaning
Realm of myth
Denotation
Literal
Signifier
Obvious
Describes
Realm of existence
Connotation
Figurative
Signified
Inferred
Suggests meaning
Realm of myth
Semiotics
How meaning is created & conveyed Signs – combinations of signified &
signifier Relationships between signs key
– Language is social institution All is “text”
Intertextuality
Metaphor– Like or as
Metonomy– Implied– Association with known image
• Uncle Sam• Cowboy hat• Red rose
Codes
Based in socialization– Can vary from transmitter to receiver of
texts Cultural captial
– Toolset for understanding codes– Some meanings easier to understand,
“taken for granted”
Codes
Audiences negotiate meaning– Intended meaning– Negotiated meaning– Oppositional meaning
OJ LA Riots Cathy Freeman
Codes
All-pervasive Specific Clear cut
Personality, social roles, institutions, ideology Genre, formula Rituals, expectations
Cinematic Technique
Signifier
Close-up
Medium shot
Full shot
Long shot
Definition
Face
Most of body
Full body
Setting & characters
Signified
Intimacy
Personal relationship
Social relationship
Context, scope, distance
Decoding “Pulp Fiction”
What does the surveillance suggest? Why do both characters use drugs? What is accomplished by the “square?” What function does the car/booth
serve? What is implied by hand-rolled
cigarettes? What is the purpose of the dance?
Decoding “Pulp Fiction”
Surveillance Camera– Power shift– Gaze (hers, ours)
• Subject/object transfer
– Omnipresent husband/boss– Class difference– Veil
• Insecurity, anticipation, propriety
Decoding “Pulp Fiction”
Drugs– Outsiders– Glamour
• Sophistication, control, expense
– Insecurity– Sexual surrogate– Death
• Intensity, surreal, shifting consequences
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