Semiotics

Question 1

Sign

Answer 1

A word or image that is used to represent or convey an idea or object.

Question 2

Icon

Answer 2

A widely recognised symbol, image, or person that holds significant cultural, social or ideological meaning.

Question 3

Signified

Answer 3

The signified is the concept or idea that the signifier refers to. In the case of the word “dog,” the signified is the idea or mental image of a dog.

Question 4

Signifier

Answer 4

The signifier is the physical form of the sign — the word, image, sound, or symbol used to convey meaning. For example, in the word “dog,” the signifier is the word itself.

Question 5

Dominant Signifier

Answer 5

The dominant signifier is the most prominent or powerful signifier within a text or media product that conveys the intended message or meaning. It is the sign that is most noticeable and helps establish the dominant interpretation.

Question 6

Index

Answer 6

An index is a sign that has a direct, causal link to its object. It suggests a relationship of cause and effect. For example, smoke is an index of fire, or a footprint is an index of a person or animal that walked there.

Question 7

Code

Answer 7

A code is a system of signs that are understood to have particular meanings within a culture. Codes include both technical codes (like camera angles, lighting, or editing techniques) and symbolic codes (like color, gestures, or dress).

Question 8

Symbol

Answer 8

A symbol is a sign that has an arbitrary or conventional relationship to its meaning. It doesn’t resemble or directly connect to the object or idea it represents. For example, the word “dog” is a symbol — it doesn’t look like a dog, but people understand what it refers to.

Question 9

Anchorage

Answer 9

Anchorage refers to the process by which the meaning of a sign is fixed or “anchored” by accompanying text or context. For example, captions or subtitles in a film help anchor the meaning of images and sounds, guiding the audience toward a particular interpretation.

Question 10

Ideology

Answer 10

Ideology refers to the set of ideas, beliefs, and values that are promoted and reinforced through media texts. It reflects the dominant values of a society or group, often shaping public opinion and behavior.

Question 11

Paradigm

Answer 11

A paradigm is a set of related signs, concepts, or elements that could be substituted for one another in a particular context. For example, in film, different actors, locations, or camera shots can be used to convey similar meanings, and these form a paradigm of possible choices.

Question 12

Syntagm

Answer 12

A syntagm is the arrangement of signs in a specific sequence or structure. In media texts, the syntagm refers to how different elements (such as images, sounds, or words) are combined to create meaning. The order in which elements are presented in a narrative or image can change the interpretation