Glossary

These are brief sketches of complex concepts, that may have multiple meanings. You can't really learn these concepts from the definitions, but may be a useful quick reference.

Sign

The basic unit of meaning, something that stands for or expresses something else. Made up of two components, the signifier and the signified.

Signifier

The form that the sign takes. For some theorists, this means a physical entity, for Saussure, the signifier is a mental recognition, a "sound image."

Signified

The concept that the sign stands for.

Structure

An entity that is created by the connections, or relations, between the elements it is composed of.

Code

A set of rules, principles or connections that govern the use and interpretation of signs.

Myth

For Barthes, a myth is the signifying part of an ideology.

Connotation

The ideas that are evoked or suggested by a sign, in addition to its usual detonated meaning.

Detonation

The generally accepted meaning of a sign.

Rhetoric

Originally, the study and practice of persuasive communications. For Barthes, a set of techniques used to communicate a message via connotation.

Indexical

A sign which has a direct connection to, or is caused by, what it stand for, like tracks in the snow, or smoke from a fire. One of Peirce's original three modes of signification.

Iconic

A sign which shares a similarity or a likeness with what it stands for. One of Peirce's original three modes of signification.

Symbolic

A sign which has no connection to what it stands for; the connection has to be learned. One of Peirce's original three modes of signification.

Synchronic

The study of the state of a system at a particular point in time.

Diachronic

The study of how a system has changed over time.