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Research for TYPE 2 Project 1

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Notes

Signs Defined: Signs are representative of something whether it be danger, health, aircraft, food and so on. They can mean something other than themselves which is why they are so useful. Signs also depend greatly on the context, with which we can use to define the meaning of the sign.

Verbal Example: CD = Music

Index Defined: When there is a physical or causal relationship between the signifier and the signified, the non arbitrary relationship is said to be indexical.

Verbal Example: Smoke = Fire

Symbol Defined: Representation of something, whether it be an idea, feeling, organization, etc. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.

Verbal Example: An elephant symbolizes great memory

This Means That: Summary and Notes

We live in a world of signs which are important in our society. A sign can be almost anything but what a sign signifies is dependent on the context. So a sign must always be dependent on context, never independent if it is to be understood. (e.g. high heeled shoes can either be sexy or crazy depending on the culture/context).

The apple in the Adam and Eve story could easily be another fruit (and is not mentioned as being an apple in the bible) but an apple was chosen because of it functions as a signifier. The apple signifies temptation and apparently is widely seen as such, therefore the picture of Adam and Eve has successfully communicated its message.

Braille as a signifier works as a system of dots or bumps that reflect letters which when combined create words. This is an example of how signs are composed of two inseperable elements: signifier and the signified.

The relationship is often arbritrary meaning we've picked any old word we could think of in most cases. To us casual users of a word we assume it is natural when in fact it isn't.

Inuit maps are a good example of how something that is real (eg - coastlines) can be represented with something abstract (carved wood). This to us westerners seems weird because we use paper maps or GPS devices but for the Inuit it made perfect sense. It is a good example of how we come to see these signs and signifiers as natural when they are products of our cultures and societies.

Sean Hall argues that with any ICON there is some degree of semblance between the signifier and the signified. (but how about "dog" i wonder...)

The woman in the picture seems to be dead which if it were really true would be somewhat horrifying or sad. In this case it is photographical representation. it is a simulation of death. Also, how can we be sure the woman is not dead? At this point Hall points out other examples of Sgfer and Sgfed.

The swastika (indian) which in this case is reverse from the nazi swazi is a symbol of good luck in some religions. It is ironic because the nazi one is a symbol of terror and death. So it is powerful example of how a symbol can represent nearly anything in the right context.

"I shop therefore I am" is a play on Descartes' "I think therefore I am" which is the only thing that he could not plausibly doubt. So, we can infer that shopping gives us identity and solidifies our existence, it is something that we can't doubt.

Mediums are the pathway for the message. We have Presentational, Representational and Mechanical.

Hall argues next that the Mona Lisa, when broken down and analyzed tells us that the window to the soul is not the eyes as previously claimed by everyone, but really the mouth. Because her eyes tell us very little, but her mouth says much.

With the choco-Cake scenario, we have no context to understand the statement, so we can guess from a number of possibilities. It turns out to be complete bunk as it was all a scenario (i saw that coming). But the lesson is clear: in these cases the person reading or what have you is the really receiving the message, not the granddaughter. So we have the "receiver" (me, the reader) and the addressee (that GD GD)

The ways of meaning: simile, metaphor, metonym, synecdoche, irony, lies, impossibilitity, depiction, and representation.

Which are the most alike: this is depedant on the person making the decision, what interests them the most. This is the essential way that simile works, the likening of one thing to another. They can exist in visual communication as well as verbal.

Metaphors: How is a beautiful woman like a bottle of expensive perfume? They are both expensive?

No! They both possess beauty and elegance apparently.

Objects can represent concepts: Statue of Lib = Freedom

Images can Represent Causes, Persons, Places

Words can represent events, activities, concepts also.

ELVIS is recognizable for his very unique hair styles, esp. when they are all together. So, this part of Elvis, that is really pretty lame, (hair?) can make us immediately think of ELVIS. THis is a synecdoche.

Note: I will link to PDF version of notes that include pictures (to save space)

Book Possibilities

The possible choices for our first project.

• The Thin Red Line - James Jones
• The Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
• Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad