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Semiology: meaning, definitions and examples

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semiology

 

[ ˌsɛmiˈɒlədʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

study of signs

Semiology is the study of signs and symbols and their use in communication. It explores how meanings are created and communicated through different signs and symbols, such as language, images, and gestures.

Synonyms

semiotics, sign studies.

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Word Description / Examples
semiology

Mainly used in European academic contexts to describe the study of signs and symbols as a part of social life. It can also be used in literary theory and cultural studies.

  • In his book on semiology, the author discusses how cultural symbols influence society.
  • The lecture on semiology provided insights into how advertisements communicate messages.
semiotics

Commonly used in both academic and general contexts to refer to the study of signs and symbols, especially in communication and linguistics. This term is more widely recognized in the U.S.

  • The professor specializes in semiotics and the analysis of media texts.
  • Understanding semiotics can help in deciphering hidden meanings in everyday communication.
sign studies

Typically used to describe a more applied or interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of signs and symbols. Can be used in fields such as communication, design, and digital media.

  • Sign studies offer practical tools for analyzing visual communication in digital media.
  • The course in sign studies bridges the gap between theoretical and practical aspects of communication.

Examples of usage

  • Semiology helps us understand how advertising uses signs to convey messages to consumers.
  • In semiotics, a branch of semiology, signs are analyzed in terms of their signifier and signified.

Translations

Translations of the word "semiology" in other languages:

🇵🇹 semiologia

🇮🇳 अर्थविज्ञान

🇩🇪 Semiologie

🇮🇩 semiologi

🇺🇦 семіологія

🇵🇱 semiologia

🇯🇵 記号学 (きごうがく)

🇫🇷 sémiologie

🇪🇸 semiología

🇹🇷 semiyoloji

🇰🇷 기호학

🇸🇦 علم العلامات

🇨🇿 semiologie

🇸🇰 semiológia

🇨🇳 符号学

🇸🇮 semiologija

🇮🇸 táknfræði

🇰🇿 семиология

🇬🇪 სემიოლოგია

🇦🇿 semiologiya

🇲🇽 semiología

Etymology

The term 'semiology' was first introduced by Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure in the early 20th century. He used it to refer to the study of signs and their meanings in language. Later, French philosopher Roland Barthes expanded the concept to include signs in broader cultural contexts, leading to the development of semiotics as a field of study. Today, semiology continues to be a key concept in the analysis of communication and cultural symbols.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,500, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.