Semiotic: meaning, definitions and examples
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semiotic
[ ˌsɛmiˈɒtɪk ]
theory of signs
Semiotic is the study of signs and symbols, both individually and grouped in sign systems. It explores how meaning is constructed and understood, focusing on how different kinds of signs, such as words, images, and gestures, communicate ideas and concepts. Semiotic analysis can be applied to various fields including linguistics, literature, art, and media. By understanding the relationships between signs and their meanings, semiotic theory helps to illuminate how communication works on multiple levels.
Synonyms
semiology, sign theory
Examples of usage
- The semiotic analysis of the advertisement revealed hidden meanings.
- She studied semiotic theories to better understand cultural communication.
- In literary criticism, semiotic approaches can uncover deeper interpretations of texts.
Translations
Translations of the word "semiotic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 semiótico
🇮🇳 अर्थशास्त्र
🇩🇪 semiotisch
🇮🇩 semiotik
🇺🇦 семіотичний
🇵🇱 semiotyczny
🇯🇵 記号論の
🇫🇷 sémiotique
🇪🇸 semiótico
🇹🇷 semitik
🇰🇷 기호학의
🇸🇦 سيميائي
🇨🇿 semiotický
🇸🇰 semiotický
🇨🇳 符号学的
🇸🇮 semiotični
🇮🇸 merki
🇰🇿 символдық
🇬🇪 სემიოტიკური
🇦🇿 semiotik
🇲🇽 semiótico
Word origin
The term 'semiotic' originates from the Greek word 'sēmeiotikos', which means 'observant of signs.' The study of semiotics has its roots in the work of philosophers and theorists like Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Saussure emphasized the relationship between signifiers (the form of a word or expression) and signified (the concept it represents). Peirce expanded the concept, categorizing signs into icons, indexes, and symbols based on their relationship to what they represent. The study of semiotics has since evolved to encompass a wide array of disciplines, including linguistics, anthropology, and media studies. As a field, it continues to explore how meaning is produced and understood in various contexts.