Semiotics and Communication: Signs, Codes, CulturesCommunication is, among other things, about the study of meaning -- how people convey ideas for themselves and to one another in their daily lives. Designed to close the gap between what we are able to do as social actors and what we are able to describe as social analysts, this book introduces the language of semiotics -- a language that provides some of the words necessary for discussion of these communication issues. Presenting the basics of semiotic theory to communication scholars, this volume summarizes those aspects most relevant to the study of social interaction, in particular, signs (the smallest elements of meaning in interaction) and codes (sets of related signs and rules for their use) -- explaining how they come together within cultures. Three common social codes -- food, clothing, and objects -- serve as primary examples throughout the book. |
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aesthetic analysis anthropology appropriate aspects assumed assumptions Barthes basic behavior bricolage chapter choice combination communication researchers concept connections connotations considered context convey meaning create decoding demonstrated described dhoti discussion display dress elaborated emphasizing ethnic example existence explicit fashion field focus function gift Gregory Bateson human identity implies individual signs interaction interest interpretation intertextuality kente cloth kinesics Kress language langue larger Leeds-Hurwitz linguistics major marker mass media material culture meal messages metaphor Milwaukee Public Museum nonverbal communication objects obvious paradigm paralanguage particular Peirce Pentecostal physical polysemic potential presented proxemics quilt refers relationship rituals role Saussure semiology semiosis semiotic theory semioticians sense serve signifier social actors social class social codes someone specifically status Steel Magnolias structure syntagm term theoretical tion topic traditional traditionally understanding University of Wisconsin-Parkside wear wedding words worn