Linguistic sign theories

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, University of Heidelberg, language: English, abstract: We seem to be a species that is driven by "a desire to make meanings" (Chandler: 1995) by creating and interpreting signs. Indeed, it is a fact that "we think only in signs" (Peirce: 1931-58, II.302). These signs can have the shape of sounds, images, objects, acts or flavours. Since these things do not have an intrinsic meaning, we have to give them a meaning so that they can become signs. Peirce states that "Nothing is a sign unless it is interpreted as a sign" (Peirce: 1931-58, II.172). This means that everything can become a sign as long as it 'signifies' something - refers to or stands for "something other than itself" (Chandler: 1995). Our interpretation of signs is an unconscious process in our minds as we constantly relate the signs we experience to a system of conventions that is familiar to us.This system of conventions and the use of signs in general is what semiotics is about. There are three major models that give a detailed explanation of the constitution of a sign; these are the models of Ferdinand de Saussure's, Charles Sanders Peirce's and Karl Bühler's model. At first, they will be presented in detail and secondly, there will be a brief discussion about them.

Product details

• Authors: Manuela Kistner
• Publisher: Grin Verlag
• Content: Book
• Product form: Paperback / Softback
• Publication date: 17.12.2010
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > English linguistics / literary studies
• EAN: 9783638948586
• ISBN: 978-3-638-94858-6
• Pages: 28
• Dimensions (packing): 14.8 x 21 x 0.3 cm
• Weight (packing): 56 g
• Series: Akademische Schriftenreihe > Bd.V71829; Akademische Schriftenreihe, Bd. V71829; Akademische Schriftenreihe > V71829; Akademische Schriftenreihe Bd. V71829
• Subjects: linguistic