Semiotic Systems (Agostina Garca Gimnez, Jos Mata)

Systemic Functional Linguistics, taking an idea from the French linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, considers that we can differentiate two levels or dimensions to identify signs in a semiotic system: a meaning, or content, level; and one of realization, or expression. It is also stated that these two levels do not relate in an evident or logical way, but in a rather arbitrary or random mode. As a result, what Saussure calls signifi signified or concept, i.e., the mental representation of something and signifiant signifier or what is meant, i.e., the actual material that the signifi is representing can be easily altered, and we will still be able to see the meaning conveyed in the association of these two. Saussures theory goes beyond this, as it states that signs obtain their meaning from what they are not. In case we ever decided to change meaning associations, we should be very careful not to overlap them, as we would modify the opposition that becomes necessary to distinguish them.

Semiotic systems Examples (Gianna Di Dino, Belen Olivares, Maira Dominguez Sala)
If we had to imagine how we would explain to foreigners what an axolotl -Ambystoma mexicanum, a neotenic salamander- is, we would probably go to an aquarium and show them a tank full of axolotls. But without showing them what an axolotl is NOT, they would probably believe that every single fish in the aquarium belongs to this species. The confusion arises from the fact that part of the meaning of a linguistic sign is identified by a set of oppositions among different concepts. Without these contrasts, it will not be possible to differentiate meanings.
Another example that could illustrate this conventionally built association between the signifier and the signified appears when, during a game of chess, the players realise that there is one piece missing. The object can be

easily replaced using another one, like a cigarette lighter, which will not affect the game in itself; provided that the players agree not to confuse the object with any other piece, and establishing that the cigarette lighter will perform exactly the same moves as the missing piece. This substitution is made possible because the chess pieces

and their moves are conventions, but what actually matters is the relationship each piece establishes with (the rest of) them.