Study of semiotics blog task by laith.

 1) What meanings are the audience encouraged to take about the two main characters from the opening of the film?

-I believe that at the beginning the audience is given an idea that the two main characters are careless and appear to ignore their surroundings which can be seen when they purposefully pester and annoy the old man.

-Another meaning could be that the two main characters have a passion for making noise instead of talking.

2) How does the end of the film emphasise de Saussure’s belief that signs are polysemic – open to interpretation or more than one meaning?

The end of the movie provides an audience with many questions as first they are given the illusion that both the characters are reckless however at the end it is revealed that they are both really helpful and supportive as they help the old homeless person out by feeding him some bananas. This emphasises Saussure's beliefs that signs are polysemic because the characters both suggest many meanings however in the end the true meaning/message is that you should never judge someone based on their character but instead on their actions.

 

1) What did Ferdinand de Saussure suggest are the two parts that make up a sign?

The two parts which make up the signs are signifiers and the signified.

2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

Something that has multiple meanings.

3) What does Barthes mean when he suggests signs can become ‘naturalised’?

When a sign becomes neutralised it means that certain meanings are created or brought about in society and overtime once enough people know about these signs they become accepted/naturalised.

4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

His 5 codes are hermeneutic, proairetic, cultrual, connotative and symbolic code.

5) How does the writer suggest Russian Doll (Netflix) uses narrative codes?

The writer suggests that through the title a symbolic code is being used and the symbol of the doll is used to help make sense of the narrative. Later an enigma code is used which can be seen as the camera pans past and focuses on a close up of a bowl of fruit which is rotten, those who are more focused will usually see this which is why this is an enigma code.

Icons, indexes and symbols

1) Find two examples for each: icon, index and symbol. Provide images or links.

Icon:

Index:

Symbol: 

2) Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?

Icons and indexes are very important as they help provide a better understanding as to what a text is trying to convey.

3) Why might global brands try and avoid symbols in their advertising and marketing?

One reason global brands may choose to avoid symbols is because symbols require learing in order to make meaning of them therefore if a company for example McDonald's decided to introduce symbols they may be limited amounts of people who would actually understand what they are trying to say and it would cause mass confusion, moreover it may cause conflict and symbols may be disrespectful in ones language/culture.

4) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) where the producer has accidentally communicated the wrong meaning using icons, indexes or symbols. Why did the media product fail? (This web feature on bad ads and marketing fails provides some compelling examples).

One example of a media text where the producer has accidentally failed is Bloomingdale's advertisement, this is a failure as it suggests or implies that spiking ones drink is acceptable which cause an out rise as many people assumed the business was normalising and accepting rape.

5) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) that successfully uses icons or indexes to create a message that can be easily understood across the world.

This is an ad by L'Oreal and it is an example of an advertisement which has successfully used icons and indexes to create a message which can be understood across the world as in this image the audience can Identify a wide range of skin colours of all races and backgrounds which reveals that L'Oreal aims to include all races in their advertisements and products, Another reason why this is a successful use of icons/indexes is because no prior knowledge or culture has to be learned as one can simply look at this advertisment and understand that all races/colours are welcome which is a positive messgae.