This text is designed to provide a basic introduction to semiotics and communication theory, with plenty of examples from, and applications to, popular culture. It aims to make accessible the technical and often abstruse subject matter of sign theory in practical ways, with illustrations in such areas as myth. storytelling, television, advertising, clothing, and architecture. Without overwhelming, this introduction allows students and interested general readers to get a comprehensive look at what semiotics and communication theory are all about. Messages, Signs, and Meanings can be used directly in introductory courses in semiotics, communications, media, or culture studies. Additionally, it can be used in courses dealing with cognate areas of investigation (psychology, mythology, education, literary studies, anthropology, linguistics) as a complementary or supplementary text. The text builds upon what readers already known intuitively about signs and then leads them to think critically about the world in which they live--a world saturated with images of all kinds that a basic knowledge of semiotics can help filter and deconstruct. The text also provides opportunities for readers to do "hands-on" semiotics through the exercises and questions for discussion that accompany each chapter. Biographical sketches of the major figures in the field are also included, as is a convenient glossary of technical terms. The overall plan of the book is to illustrate how message-making and meaning-making can be studied from the specific vantage point of the discipline of semiotics. This third edition also includes updated discussions of information technology throughout, focusing especially on howmeanings are now negotiated through such channels as websites. chat rooms, and instant messages.
Author(s): Marcel Danesi
Edition: 3rd
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 410
1551302500......Page 1
Table of Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 12
Acknowledgments......Page 14
Introduction......Page 16
PART I: Signs......Page 18
Preliminary Remarks......Page 20
Signs......Page 21
An Historical Sketch......Page 24
Signification......Page 28
Structure, Text, and Message......Page 31
Semiosis, Representation, and Interpretation......Page 33
Code......Page 35
Concluding Remarks......Page 38
Describing the Sign......Page 40
Iconicity......Page 45
Indexicality......Page 47
Symbolism......Page 48
Culture......Page 50
The Semiosphere......Page 56
Concluding Remarks......Page 60
Preliminary Remarks......Page 62
Nonverbal Semiotics......Page 63
Signals......Page 64
Facial Expression......Page 66
Eye Contact......Page 69
Body Language......Page 70
Touch......Page 72
Gesture......Page 73
Dancing......Page 78
Concluding Remarks......Page 80
Preliminary Remarks......Page 82
Mental Imagery......Page 83
Color......Page 86
Visual Representation......Page 92
Maps......Page 97
The Visual Arts......Page 102
Cinema......Page 105
Concluding Remarks......Page 109
Preliminary Remarks......Page 110
What Is Language?......Page 111
Learning to Speak......Page 114
Words......Page 117
Names......Page 120
Verbal Communication......Page 123
Writing......Page 127
Verbal Art......Page 130
Concluding Remarks......Page 131
Preliminary Remarks......Page 132
What Is Metaphor?......Page 133
Metaphors We Live By......Page 137
Conceptual Metaphor Theory......Page 144
Metonymy and Irony......Page 147
Metaphor and Grammar......Page 149
Metaphor and Culture......Page 151
Concluding Remarks......Page 154
PART II: Messages and Meanings......Page 156
Preliminary Remarks......Page 158
Narrative......Page 159
Myth......Page 162
Mythologies......Page 167
Biography......Page 169
The Novel......Page 170
The Comics......Page 173
Concluding Remarks......Page 176
Preliminary Remarks......Page 178
What Is Art?......Page 179
Theories of Art......Page 180
A History of Theater......Page 182
Modern Theater......Page 184
Music......Page 187
Postmodern Art......Page 189
Concluding Remarks......Page 193
Preliminary Remarks......Page 194
Clothing vs. Dress......Page 196
Dress Codes......Page 199
Nudity......Page 201
Fashion......Page 204
Concluding Remarks......Page 208
Preliminary Remarks......Page 210
Food vs. Cuisine......Page 211
Food As Symbolism......Page 213
The Edible and the Non-Edible......Page 215
Food Codes......Page 216
Fast Food......Page 218
Concluding Remarks......Page 220
Preliminary Remarks......Page 222
Objects......Page 223
Technology......Page 226
Computers......Page 229
The Digital Galaxy......Page 232
Pop Art......Page 236
Concluding Remarks......Page 238
Preliminary Remarks......Page 240
Interpersonal Space......Page 241
Spatial Codes......Page 243
Architecture......Page 248
Cities......Page 252
Concluding Remarks......Page 254
Preliminary Remarks......Page 256
The Advent of TV......Page 257
TV Genres......Page 258
The Effects of TV......Page 262
TV As a Social Text......Page 264
TV Mythologies......Page 267
Digital TV......Page 269
Concluding Remarks......Page 271
Preliminary Remarks......Page 272
What Is Advertising?......Page 273
The Advent of Advertising......Page 275
Brand Names and Logos......Page 278
Analyzing the Ad......Page 283
The Language of Ads......Page 285
Ad Culture......Page 287
Concluding Remarks......Page 290
Preliminary Remarks......Page 292
What Is Communication?......Page 293
Animal Communication......Page 295
Human Communication......Page 298
Concluding Remarks......Page 305
Appendices......Page 306
Appendix A: Exercises and Questions for Discussion......Page 308
Appendix B: Biographical Sketches......Page 340
A......Page 348
C......Page 350
D......Page 352
F......Page 353
H......Page 354
I......Page 355
L......Page 356
M......Page 357
O......Page 358
P......Page 359
R......Page 360
S......Page 361
T......Page 363
Z......Page 364
Cited Works and General Bibliography......Page 366
A......Page 388
B......Page 389
C......Page 390
D......Page 393
E......Page 394
F......Page 395
H......Page 396
I......Page 397
L......Page 398
M......Page 399
N......Page 401
O......Page 402
P......Page 403
S......Page 404
T......Page 407
U......Page 408
W......Page 409
Z......Page 410
