Semiotics

Semiotics
Semiotics deals with anything that can stand for something else. Examples of this theory are rampant throughout the internet. These signs each stand for something. Alone they may not mean much. However, society has attached a meaning to each of them. Chances are unless you have been in a cave for the past 20 years you probably know the meaning or saying that accompanies each of these signs. So why does this have any importance to you? These signs each have an understood meaning or idea that accompanies them. Yet, we assume that these meanings are consistent throughout the world. Granted, the meanings to the images below are pretty much the same. On the other hand, if one were to approach another and ask them to give the meaning of a word, the answers could be very different. Confused? Here are a few examples: Microsoft, Bill Clinton, Ohio University.

: Windows, Computers, Software, Bill Gates, LawSuit, Huge, and Bad.

: President, Liar, Hillary, Washington D.C. Monica, and White House.

: College, Parties, Athens, Halloween, Bobcats, and a good time.
Does that help? It's obvious that people think differently about each sign. Now for an extremely good example of how signs can have the same meaning yet different interpretations. If you choose to click on the two different images below you will find that both sites deal with the red ribbon campaign. This campaign focuses on AIDS awareness. However, one site promotes the campaign the other does not. Either way, both are a good example of how signs differ.

Sit back and click on the dancing man to look at seven web sites that have information related to semiotics.

Take a look at what the rest of the group thought about Semiotics.
Ky has our title page.
Amanda has some great research.
Shannon led an excellent discussion

Take a look at the rest of the class.
This page was last updated 10/15/98 by Chad Daniels