Diversity in the Society - Literature review Example

Semiotics Essay Name Student Number Institution Course Code Instructor Date Semiotics Essay on the Diversity in the Society Signs Signs are critical attributes in semiology and gives crucial pointers in the overall dissemination of specific communication process. Semiotics involves use of signs and images to discern messages encoded in them and give out specific communication processes. Images and signs form a collection of symbolic communication features that are used to pass given messages to specific target audience. In essence, any material holding a message comes out as a crucial tool in communication (Hitchcock, 2008). In context, semiology involves the study of signs and can be applied in all forms of human activities incorporating dances, cinema, painting, medicine, politics religion, and history among others in the human social aspect. Pictures are key items used in the media to give a diverse communication of a scene. This is critically covered in the aspect of semiotics which involves the theory of production and interpretation of meaning (Chandler, 2014). Mise-en-Scene The image depicts two girls of different races aged between five and six. The major denotative impression from the image shows diversity in the society and the need to come together and appreciate the differences and live together in harmony. From the image, the two characters aged between five and six are of female’s gender; one is white Caucasian with blonde hair and the other is black. The relevance of the picture comes out with respect to instilling the aspect of tolerance and the innocence of the child indicating the need for embracing one another irrespective of the diversity in respect to race, religion or cultural background. Children in their tender age have no sense of discriminating or segregating others and acquire the traits as they grow up (McIlwain, 2007). From the image, both girls appear happy with each other in a tight embrace showing the closeness and genuineness of the relation. Symbolic and Signifier From a sociologic perspective, it is worth stating that the image brings out the diversity within the current society (Willis, 2008) and thus, addressing the very need for shunning racism or ethnicity. General semiotics tends to be formalistic giving abstract signs and depictions conveying a given message. The use of image is basically entrenched on the principle of deducing meaning due to the fact of being both a material process, as well as a semiotic process (Rayner, Wall and Kruger, 2004). The image at hand act and sign to construe a message surrounding the two girls of diverse races but of similar ages; which mainly shows the innocence and genuineness held by young ones. In context, the image portrays the message of imitating the behaviour of children in respect to the diversities in the society with a view towards promoting a cohesive and integrated society. Semiology Semiotics involves investigating how meaning is created, as well as how it is communicated. Semiology employs various gestures or signs within our daily lives to convey messages to the audience (Chandler, 2014). This brings up the concept of thinking about texts or messages as systems of signs, graphic, and lexical that acquires their effects through the continuous classes between the systems. From the case study, the picture presents a clear scenario depicting a given set up and communicating specific message. The veracity of encoding the message carried by the picture lies in the ability of the observer to interpret the signs instinctively and appropriately. The theory of semiotics was brought about by Roland Barthes ad has been utilised in the analysis of adverts, as well as effectiveness (Hitchcock, 2008). From a general perspective, the image presented by the two girls of different races; the viewer determines the meaning or interprets the image from their own perspective. Upon interpretation, various social and life attributes may come out like the culture used, predominant beliefs in the society as well as the values held (Allen, 2000). Our current daily lives are surrounded by adverts and images passing given message. The pictorial message decoding and encoding mainly depends on an individual’s perspective while viewing the image. However, there is a general message that strikes out of the image as the text code of communication whereby the producer intends to pass to the audience (Tietze, Cohen and Musson, 2003). Connotation The structural aspect of an image or text presents a thought which can be conceptualised as a phenomena and effectively defined accordingly (Hitchcock, 2008). The major attribute in life is that we are connected by the natural aspect of humanity with the sole purpose of making the world a better place to reside (Willis, 2008). The image is unique in the sense that it also brings out the concept of feminism and their cardinal role in the society. Connecting the main observation from the image, that is, cohesiveness in the society, it is worth stating that women and the girls have a greater role to play in shunning negative values in the society (Willis, 2008). Promoting societal aspects and applauding the essence of humanity stands out from the image. Ideology and Normalisation Images are used in advertisements to market products or outline a vision of a given company or generally make the audience aware of the company’s existence (Rayner, Wall and Kruger, 2004). Nevertheless, the message behind a given image may be identified by the audience from different perspectives in respect to the specific connotative or denotative approaches utilised. The social semiotics brings out specific practices within the society for analysis, as well as promoting credible values that may be construed from the kinds of texts and meanings from images sent to the audience (Allen, 2000). Social semiotics is critical in the fact that it does not make any radical separation from theoretical and applied semiotics. Further, it is mostly connected to discourse analysis, sociology of politics and anthropology of culture among others (Tietze, Cohen and Musson, 2003). Iconic The iconic aspect in the photo involves the uniqueness depicted by the two girls of different racial groups. This presents the unique nature of children and directly communicates to the society on the need to identify and embrace the uniqueness in nature for the benefit of the society. From the image, clear iconic and indexical signs are evident from the facial expression and appearance of the two girls. Various impressions can be deduced from the iconic resemblance of the images (Chandler, 2014) with many children in the current society, mainly in the parks, churches and schools. Detonator Various aspects can be observed from a denotative perspective showing a complex indication of various messages being passed to the audience. The denotative aspects of the image involve the diversity of people in the society, the need to live together in harmony and generally the innocence of the young ones that need to be emulated. Diversity in the society is a reality and there is need to appreciate it and embrace the need to live in harmony and express love to all humanity (McIlwain, 2007). From the current societal settings, it is worth noting that the world is becoming globalised with increased political strive and terrorism which seem to create divisions in the community. The image is a clear depiction of the need to embrace the purity and virtues held by children showing no boundaries or prejudice in the community. The image also connotes that all humanity of all races, lifestyles, standards and cultural background have the role to play in ensuring living together. Indexical Indexical involves expressions of contents that vary from one context to another in communication. The indexical aspect of the photo involves showing the relativity of the two girls and their innocent expression of love and care for each other amid their differences. Indexical figurative aspects can be deduced from the image, showing how the children seem to relate the way to promote the societal values upholding cohesion and love for one another (Tietze, Cohen and Musson, 2003). The image though indicating a representation of two girls, the bigger picture that comes to mind incorporate the diversity of the society, and the need to live in harmony. Non-Verbal Codes and Codes of Colour The photo critically depicts a great deal of non-verbal codes. The girls gaze and smiles gives the impression of love and innocence coupled with a tight embrace. Critical analysis of the image indicates a crucial world view in respect to division along race, religion and cultural backgrounds. The need for a cohesive society is expressed by bringing out clear images and messages promoting how to integrate diversity and come up with values that promote living in unity and harmony (McIlwain, 2007). The need for peace is paramount in the current world to curb increased ethnic and religious tensions, further, alleviating vices in the society can only occur if the negative attributes observed in the society are effectively addressed and counter measures outlined. The perspective of different people is upheld by permeating negative attitudes from one generation to another (Rayner, Wall and Kruger, 2004). Thus, to integrate and inculcate positive values in the society, it is necessary to ensure children and youths are equipped with these values to ensure a future generations that is grounded on societal values. These are values that ensure a just and cohesive community irrespective of its natural diversity (Allen, 2000). Generally, the diversity in human beings is a phenomenon that need to be appreciated but humanity is one attribute that should bring all people together and live peacefully. Conclusion In conclusion, semiotics critically identifies signs and texts to give out given messages in a communication process. The essay outlines the image to portray iconic and indexical representations of diversity in the current society. From analysis, the two girls depict same gender but different racial groups and the unity that is held by innocent children. The image brings out a normal observation in the current globalised world where children are growing in communities with mixed races, ethnicities and religious groups. The semiological approaches outlined in the essay bring out the intensity of texts and symbols which send specific messages to the human beings. In context, the need for increased emphasis on the need for concerted efforts to promote unity and cohesiveness among all people of the society is critical for the benefit of all humanity. References Allen, G. (2000). Intertextuality: The new critical idiom. London: Routledge. Chandler, D. (2014). Semiotics for beginners: Introduction. Visual Memory Website. Accessed online November 25, 2015 from . Hitchcock, L. (2008). Theory for classics: A student’s guide. Hoboken: Routledge. McIlwain, C.D. (2007). Race, pigskin, and politics: A semiotic analysis of racial images in political advertising. Semiotica. 167(1/4): 169-191. Rayner, P., Wall, P. and Kruger, S. (2004). “Image Analysis.” In As media studies; the essential introduction, 2nd ed. London: Routledge. Tietze, S., Cohen, L. and Musson, G. (2003). A semiological approach to meaning making. In Understanding organisations through language. (pp. 17-33). London: Sage Publications Ltd. Valentino, N.A., Hutchings, V.L. and White, I. (2002). Cues that matter: How political ads prime racial attitudes during campaigns. American Political Science Review. 96: 75-90. Willis, J.L. (2008). Girls constructing identity and transforming “Femininity”: Intersections between empirical and theoretical understandings of 21st century girlhood. Ph.D. Dissertation, Clark University. Read More