Signifier: Difference between revisions
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A signifier is the sound or image of a word (i.e. the words "cat," "dog" and "mouse"). It upholds an arbitrary connection with the | A signifier is the sound or image of a word (i.e. the words "cat," "dog" and "mouse"). It upholds an arbitrary connection with the [[signified]] as well as 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 "dog". The sound or image of the word "dog" will spark a category or idea about the word "dog" in someone's head. However, the word "dog" does not define or explain what a dog actually is - it is just a label attached to the animal. The word "dog" does not explain or embody any "dogness." | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
[[ | [[Signified]]<br>[[Sign]]<br> | ||
[[Signifying system]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 20:51, 9 March 2017
A signifier is the sound or image of a word (i.e. the words "cat," "dog" and "mouse"). It upholds an arbitrary connection with the signified as well as 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 "dog". The sound or image of the word "dog" will spark a category or idea about the word "dog" in someone's head. However, the word "dog" does not define or explain what a dog actually is - it is just a label attached to the animal. The word "dog" does not explain or embody any "dogness."
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
Signified
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.