A sign stands for something. It's study is called semiotics. The Semiotic tradition talks about signs and its function in communication. Words are special kinds of signs called symbols. Symbols have no connection with the things they describe. Meaning does not dwell on the word itself.It dwells in people. Word meaning depends on how it is used in the context.

There are two concepts which are critical to this tradition;
Sign- refers to something that actually exist
Symbol- form of concept and assigns meaning

FOUNDERS:

CHARLES SANDERS PIERCE

FERDINAND DE SAUSSURE

ICONS : signs where the signifier resembles the signified.

ex: 'HEROIC FIGURES'

For instance, Superman has well defined "HERO ICONIC" qualities past. 

INDEXES: signs where the signifier is caused by the signified.

example: 

Smoke represents fire

SYMBOLIC: 

signs where the relation between signifier and signified is purely conventional and culturally specific.

example:

THREE BRANCHES IN SEMIOTIC TRADITION

• Semantics: relation between signs and the things to which they refer; their signified denotata, or meaning
• Syntactics: relations among or between signs in formal structures
• Pragmatics: relation between signs and sign-using agents or interpreters

QUESTION: How does Semiotic tradition apply to our daily communication?

        The semiotic tradition is important in the aspect that we are governed by icons, signs, and symbolic forms of information consistently. It is within the relationship between the symbols and us that tells us not to drink the bottle with the skull symbol on it or not to cross the street when the light is red.

Made by: 

Jan Mayen Mendoza

janmayenmendoza@yahoo.com

AB Mass Communication Student
 Ateneo de Davao University

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