Semiotics

 Part 1: English by Tarun Thind analysis

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

The meanings that the audience are encouraged to take about the two main characters are to be more polite when it comes to other people to be able to get what they want as shown in the video that both of the main characters were impolite to the shop worker and were kicked out of the shop. However, the two main characters were also kind to the other old character as they gave him a banana .

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 de Saussure's belief that signs are polysemic due to the idea that people have different interpretation and meanings to other things like the male character in the shop where he thought that the two main characters were trying to steal or do something bad. Whereas in the one of the main characters is actually deaf and the other main character is talking to him through sign language, reinforcing the idea of the character being deaf.

Part 2: Media Magazine theory drop - Semiotics 

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

Ferdinand de Saussure suggests that the two parts that make up a sign is signifier and signified. 

2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

Polysemy means that there is a range of open interpretation of things.

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

When Barthes suggested the signs can become 'naturalised' it means that signs can be from natural things or cultural which could be a myth and that there are no other meanings to a thing.

4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

• Enigma code
• Action code
• Connotative code
• Symbolic code
• Cultural code

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

Symbolic codes on the title as the matryoshka dolls get smaller as they relive their last days on earth. Enigma codes on the prop as the camera pans and zooms on the bowl with rotten fruits which could connote mystery.

Part 3: Icons, indexes and symbols

1) Find two examples for each: icon, index and symbol. Provide images or links.

Icon: 

Index:

Symbol: 

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

Icons are the representative symbol and the physical resemblance to the signified. Indexes shows evidence of what is being represented.

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

Global brand could try and avoid symbols that could emphasise a negative idea or something that could be negative to different cultures.

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? (This web feature on bad ads and marketing fails provides some compelling examples).

The Pepsi cap reward, where the media product failed due to an error, where instead of having only one person to win $40 000, there were supposed to be 800 000 people and Pepsi refused to pay the people which led them to false hope.

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.

Nike's Just Do It sports products, where their products are useful for sports activities as they have products that are lightweight.