Barthes’ Semiotic Theory and Interpretation of Signs

Abstract

The current survey paper aimed to shed light on the science of signs in general, and Barthes’ semiotic theory to interpret signs in particular. In order to achieve this objective, the researchers reviewed the prominent works of Barthes on this respect to develop an understanding of his semiotic theory. They also displayed some conducted research applying Barthes’ semiotic theory. The researchers also intended to answer the question: How can researchers interpret signs using Barthes’ semiotic theory? Barthes’ major studies reviewed were Mythologies, Elements of semiology, The five codes, The rhetoric of the image, The death of the author, and From work to text. The conclusion answered the question in that the focus of the theory is on three levels: denotative which describes the literal meaning, connotative which is related to the mental concepts, and mythology which is related to the history, and culture of viewers.