Signified: Difference between revisions

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The signified is the category or concept that pops up in one's head due to the signifier (the sound-image of the word). It upholds an arbitrary connection with the signifier and the sign. In other words, there is no logical connection between a signifier and a signified, but, there are social constructions that connect the two. An example would be the word "cat." The sound or image of the word "cat" will spark a category or idea about the word "cat" in someone's head. However, the word "cat" does not define or explain what a cat actually is - it is just a label attached to the animal.  
The signified is the category or concept that pops up in one's head due to the [[signifier]] (the sound-image of the word). It upholds an arbitrary connection with the signifier and the [[sign]]. In other words, there is no logical connection between a signifier and a signified, but, there are social constructions that connect the two. An example would be the word "cat." The sound or image of the word "cat" will spark a category or idea about the word "cat" in someone's head. However, the word "cat" does not define or explain what a cat actually is - it is just a label attached to the animal.  


==Background==
==Background==
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==See also==
==See also==
Make connections and links to connected keyterms and articles. Remember to consult the guide for [[links]].
[[Signifier]]<br>
[[Sign]]<br>
[[Signifying system]]
 


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 20:51, 9 March 2017

The signified is the category or concept that pops up in one's head due to the signifier (the sound-image of the word). It upholds an arbitrary connection with the signifier and the sign. In other words, there is no logical connection between a signifier and a signified, but, there are social constructions that connect the two. An example would be the word "cat." The sound or image of the word "cat" will spark a category or idea about the word "cat" in someone's head. However, the word "cat" does not define or explain what a cat actually is - it is just a label attached to the animal.

Background

The term comes from the study of semiotics - the study of sign processes and meaningful communication. The term came from Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure. The term - along with signifier - were utilized to aid in breaking down what a sign was.

Uses in other disciplines

Many terms are used beyond Media Studies or come from other fields, mention those here.

See also

Signifier
Sign
Signifying system


References

Cite any research done for this article Use the Citations Guide for important markup information to help format your citations.

External links

Additional online resources for this keyterm.