SEMIOTIC: READING REPORT 5

Aan Ramadhansyah Rahayu

NIM: 180920180003

Basic Sign Theory

The two figures of sign theory (Saussure and Pierce) have different views regarding the
theory of sign. First, Ferdinand de Saussure argues that linguistic signs are bilateral, it means
that every linguistic sign has two aspects which connect to each other, they are: signifier (the
sound/symbol) on the level of expression, and the signified (concept) on the level of meaning.
Therefore, the relationship between signifier and signified is arbitrary and based on the
convention of a certain culture.

Second, Pierce argues that linguistic sign characterised as a symbol, he viewed the sign as a
triadic, rather than binary (structure). This triadic consists of signifier (representamen),
referent (object) and meaning of sign (interpretant). These three dimensions always exist in
signification. Pierce also distinguished sign types based on the relation between the sign and
its referent, they are icon, index ( which are not based on convention) and symbol.

Icon is designed to represent a referent by simulation or similarity, example photo,

onomatopoeic words, toilet doors indicating ‘male’ and ‘female’. Index is designed to
indicate a referent or to put referents in relation to each other. Index consists of three basic
types: (1) spatial indexes, refers to location, such as this/that, here/there (2) temporal indexes,
relates to things in time, such as before, after, now or then (3) person indexes, relates to
participants, such as i, you, she, he, the one, the other. Symbol is designed to encode a
referent by convention, it’s social symbol, such as math symbols, a V-sign made with index
and middle fingers can stand for ‘peace’, white can stand for cleanliness.

Signs are the product of culture which relates to social interaction, without culture people
would not be able to survive in life. Edward B Tylor (1832-1917) defines culture as a
complex whole knowledge, belief, art, moral, law, custom, and any other capability or habit
acquired by human beings as a member of society. Therefore, Juric Lotman (1922-1993)
introduces the term semiosphere to refers to culture as a system of sign, it regulates people
behaviour and shape evolution. He argues that all semiotic system function in a semiotic
space and a sign would not make sense if not in a context of other signs. Lotman emphasizes
that cultures provide textual resources in which people can search new meanings on their own
since the fact that cultures influence belief, attitude, worldview, and even sensory perception
to varying degrees.

However, semiosphere always leaves gap, offering up only portion of what is potentially
knowable in the world. Certainly, an infinite number of signifiers could be created without
any signified attached to them. Eventhough gap exist in a cultural system, people have ability
to fill them any time they wish. They can inventing new signs, altering the existing ones to
meet new demands, borrowing signs from other cultures, and soon.