semiotics blog task

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

The audience is encouraged that the two main characters are troublesome and mischievous as they bother a homeless man. When we are introduced for the first character, we perceive that he is child like and adventurous due to how he picks up a harmonica on the road and plays it he seems quite innocent in the beginning. Whereas, the other character seems vexatious  as he does not respect that mans wish of quieting down.

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 film emphasises that signs are polysemic because it shows how both of the characters are deaf , due to the sign language, so we would have interpreted that the characters were mysterious because of the lack of speaking. Also, we assumed that both of the characters are troublemakers however , in reality they were deaf and could physically not speak. The ending was a plot twist that opened another meaning on the character that couldn't speak. Also , we encounter the phrase at the end  ' of those who say nothing few are silent'. This is also polysemic as people could interpret it in many ways. For example it could either mean that the people who are silent could not physically speak (like in the short film) or that instead of speaking people would use actions instead. 

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

The Signified (the meaning that is intended from a sign) and the Signifier (works with signified to combine into a sign) are the two parts that make up a sign. 

2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

Polysemy means having/open to more than one interpretation or meaning.

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

That certain meanings are created or brought about in society and over time one enough people know about these newly constructed meanings, they are accepted and agreed upon.

4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

The hermeneutic code, the proairetic code, the cultural code, the semantic code and the symbolic code. 

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

When you open Russian matryoshka dolls, they also seem to shrink with each opening. As an outcome, the title plays as a symbolic code, and the Russian doll symbol supports in our progressive understanding of the narrative.

1) Find two examples for each: icon, index and symbol.

Icon:

Index:

                    

Symbol: 

        

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

The fact that icons have a physical connection to the signified makes them meaningful. Without an index, we are unable to understand what is happening in a picture because indexes provide proof of what is being portrayed.

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

They try to avoid symbols because they are not comprehensible  by everybody. For example different symbols in languages.

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? 

In this image, the producer has accidentally communicated rape in where the drink takes away the ability to say 'no'.  The ad is a bad idea because 'no means no' and it could influence the mind into believing the wrong things. This media product failed as it produced the wrong message that the drink makes you 'up for whatever' which is polysemic as it could also mean to make you brave enough to do things.



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 advertisement uses icons to display a comprehensible message that coca cola is an enjoyable drink. It simply shows an image of the drink telling the audience to share is as it is a delicious drink.