Semiotic Research Articles

Family boundaries: identification and dynamics

The modern existence of Russian families is characterized by a variety of lifestyle forms. The changing family landscape, which includes a range of blood and non-blood relatives and partners, expands the understanding of this institution, leading to broader definitions of the family and its boundaries. The purpose of the article is to analyze the dynamics of young people’s representations about family boundaries. The article attempts an interdisciplinary synthesis of theoretical and practical knowledge, namely the application of semiotic analysis in sociological research. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study Yu.M. Lotman. The empirical base consisted of data from three studies conducted using a similar methodology: 2007 (n=213), 2017 (n=132), 2023 (n=113). Using the concept of “significant family member”, the mobility of family boundaries is revealed. The respondent’s partners – young people, common-law spouses – “moved” from the periphery to the core of the family. The greatest changes occurred in the structure of family ties. The concept of S.I. Golod made it possible to theoretically substantiate the transformation of ideas about the family and its boundaries. Yu.M. Lotman's approach to the analysis of the phenomenon of borderliness complemented the ideas about the essence and functions of the boundaries of the family sphere and made it possible to theoretically interpret their dynamics. Interdisciplinary synthesis of sociological and semiotic knowledge when studying the boundaries of the family sphere seems promising.

“Your friendly AI assistant”: the anthropomorphic self-representations of ChatGPT and its implications for imagining AI

AbstractThis study analyzes how ChatGPT portrays and describes itself, revealing misleading myths about AI technologies, specifically conversational agents based on large language models. This analysis allows for critical reflection on the potential harm these misconceptions may pose for public understanding of AI and related technologies. While previous research has explored AI discourses and representations more generally, few studies focus specifically on AI chatbots. To narrow this research gap, an experimental-qualitative investigation into auto-generated AI representations based on prompting was conducted. Over the course of a month, ChatGPT (both in its GPT-4 and GPT-4o models) was prompted to “Draw an image of yourself,” “Represent yourself visually,” and “Envision yourself visually.” The resulting data (n = 50 images and 58 texts) was subjected to a critical exploratory visual semiotic analysis to identify recurring themes and tendencies in how ChatGPT is represented and characterized. Three themes emerged from the analysis: anthropomorphism, futuristic/futurism and (social)intelligence. Importantly, compared to broader AI imaginations, the findings emphasize ChatGPT as a friendly AI assistant. These results raise critical questions about trust in these systems, not only in terms of their capability to produce reliable information and handle personal data, but also in terms of human–computer relations.

The Message Of Da'wah In Films And Criticism Of The Concept Of Reincarnation

The concept of reincarnation is often a controversial topic because it raises deep theological debates. Film, as a mass communication medium, has the potential to spread thoughts or beliefs, including reincarnation. One of the films that raises this theme is Along With Gods 2: The Last 49 Days, a production work from South Korea. Seeing the potential negative impact of the concept of reincarnation on Muslims, this study aims to analyse and criticise the concept based on the teachings of Islamic law—qualitative method with Charles Sander Peirce's semiological approach. The data obtained from the film were analysed using Peirce's semiotic theory through the analysis of the concept of trichotomy. The results of the study showed that there were 25 scenes related to reincarnation in the film, of which eight messages of faith and three moral messages were found that contained da'wah values. Criticism of the concept of reincarnation is based on its irrationality and contradiction with Islamic teachings. In Islam, resurrection is believed to occur on Yaumul Ba'ats, the day of resurrection to account for charity, and not in the form of rebirth in the world as depicted in the concept of reincarnation.

Analisis Semiotika Feminisme Radikal dalam Film Poor Things

The issue of feminism has been a topic of intense and in-depth discussion in various circles, involving a variety of perspectives in academic, social, and cultural studies. Social dynamics that occur such as social class injustice based on gender, oppression of women, sexism, patriarchal ideology that defines women as objects of sexuality and so on make this issue raised in any media, one of which is film. In this study, researchers are interested in analyzing the film Poor Things directed by Yorgos Lanthimos from a script by Tony McNamara which highlights women having freedom over their bodies, the setting of this film was taken in the Victorian era where at that time women were considered a second class that functioned to satisfy male sexual urges. This research aims to explain the meaning of the semiotic code of radical feminism in Poor Things directed by Yorgos Lanthimos from a script by Tony McNamara which highlights women having freedom over their bodies. The method used in this research is a qualitative approach with John Fiske's semiotic analysis based on codes that are divided into three levels, namely the level of reality, representation and ideology. The results show the values of radical feminism at the level of reality through the codes of appearance, makeup, costumes, speech, environment and behavior. At the representation level, the values of feminism are shown through the codes of camera, character, action, conflict and dialog. At the ideological level, radical feminism found in the movie Poor Things is included in patriarchal ideology. In the movie Poor Things, the level of ideology displayed is patriarchy where women are considered as a second class that functions to satisfy men's sexual urges.

Typographic tools for semantic exploration in Aravind Adiga's “The white tiger”

This study aims to explore the typographic strategies employed by Aravind Adiga in his novel The White Tiger, focusing on how visual elements contribute to the narrative’s thematic depth and infer deeper meaning. Through detailed discourse analysis, the research investigates the use of typography, including bold text, italics, capitalization, superscript, and other extra-linguistic elements as tools for emphasizing key moments, conveying character emotions, and highlighting deeply entrenched social, political and bureaucratic injustices. The method involves a close reading of the novel and a semiotic analysis of the typographic variations to interpret their symbolic significance. The results reveal that Adiga’s typographic choices are not merely aesthetic but serve as a powerful narrative device that enhances the reader’s engagement and understanding of the novel’s underlying messages, fostering a profound understanding of the protagonist's journey from darkness to light. Conclusively, Adiga’s innovative use of typography in The White Tiger adds a layer of artistic insight that enriches the novel’s exploration of corruption, social inequality, and the complexities of human ambition. The analysis underscores typography as a vehicle for deeper literary expression, offering new insights into Adiga's narrative technique where language and style converge to convey powerful, emotive meanings.

Along came this song

This article explores the use of songs in fantasy televisual media, considering what types of songs are being sung, where they are placed within the context of the show, and by whom they are being sung. I analyze elements of culture and character that enhance worldbuilding as well as explore the use of repetition through leitmotifs, context, and intertextual references. I focus on songs from The Witcher: Blood Origin , Game of Thrones , and The Witcher. Invoking Petra Zimmerman’s concept of the “semantic co-text” (2013), I examine the context of each song, including what occurs before and after the choice for characters to sing, considering what drives them to the point of song and what it adds to their internal story. This, combined with a hermeneutic approach to semiotic analysis, allows for a close reading of the lyric text. Finally, I draw together the analysis through a consideration of the phonaesthetic choices ( Fimi 2010 ) and the performance of each song as an act of “musicking” (Small 1998) to consider them as individual moments as well as connected motifs within the broader fantasy context. Songs in longform fantasy media enrich the fabric of the text and provide audiences textual clues to hook into and return to. Music is integral to cultural practices; therefore, when examining texts which create new fan communities and new fantastic contexts, it is imperative to pursue the elements which support interior authenticity and allow audiences to accept the context and authority of the story being told.

Students' Meaning‐Making of Nature of Science: Interaction Between Visual, Verbal, and Written Modes of Representation

ABSTRACTStudents' understanding of nature of science (NOS) has been largely examined primarily in written or verbal modes. The visual, verbal, and written modes are essential for students' meaning‐making of NOS. However, research has sidelined the interaction among these three modes in understanding students' collaborative discourse of NOS. Informed by theories of multimodality and social semiotics, this paper investigates the interactions between the visual, verbal, and written modes as groups of students engaged in explicit‐reflective multimodal representation during NOS instruction. Utilizing a collective case study approach, we planned NOS instruction with teachers, and videotaped how each focal group of students in two grade seven classes in Hong Kong constructed multimodal representations of NOS. Multimodal discourse analysis revealed that the three modes fulfill various purposes during students' co‐construction of multimodal representations of NOS. The interaction between the three modes facilitates meaning‐making of NOS in four ways: (a) students' re‐semiotization of discursive scientific practices into their multimodal ensembles; (b) bridging students' writing of scientific reports to scientists' social certification and dissemination; (c) connecting students' decontextualized meaning‐making to contextualized meaning‐making of methods and methodological rules; and (d) facilitating students' embodied semiosis in social organizations and interactions of science. Focusing on four episodes of co‐constructing multimodal representations of NOS, we illustrate how students' meaning‐making of NOS is multimodal in nature and how various modes have their own affordances. We discuss future research directions on how multimodality can facilitate students' meaning‐making of NOS.

Genius loci of the city of Padua in the context of Slovak travelogues of the 19th century

The authors’ decision to “read” and semiotically analyse the city’s text based on travelogues stems from their aesthetic, historical and informational value, the possibility of incorporating them “into the network” of other texts about Padua, thus shaping city image. The authors’ research on Slovak literature and culture also determined the choice. As a time frame, the nineteenth century is not accidental; the Slovak cultural environment (the territory of present-day Slovakia) witnessed the development of the travelogue genre and journeys to Italy. By interpreting and semiotic analysis of the selected authors’ travelogues and works, the paper draws attention to the uniqueness of Padua, the ways of its representation and the grasping of the urban space, which until now despite its importance in education, sciences and art has remained unnoticed in literary studies. Considering that only four Slovak travellers included Padua in their writings during the studied period, all of their works were reviewed to uncover their texts’ semantic potential. Interpretive immersions thus reflect the experiential reception of the author’s city image and perceiving its architectural structure. Through this, the authors develop a network of texts about Padua and support the typological classification according to its specific function or image. This paper articulates a variant of the Slovak phenomenon of Italian travel and a view of the meanings associated with urban spaces and places. It reflects the importance of travel writing for understanding the (literary) cityscape and its transformations and opens space for further research on the subject.

Representations of Public Perceptions on Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Candidates: A Semiotic Analysis of Memes on Social Media

Representations of Public Perceptions on Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Candidates: A Semiotic Analysis of Memes on Social Media

Analysis of Cultural Narratives in Works of Art for the Study of Ukrainian-Russian Relations

The article is devoted to the consideration of cultural narratives in works of art as a reflection of the nature of Ukrainian-Russian relations. The purpose of the article is to analyse the cultural narratives presented in works of art during the war, from the perspective of studying Ukrainian-Russian relations. The research methodology includes a qualitative analysis of works of art created during the war, using methods of content analysis and semiotic analysis. The research used the method of narrative analysis to reveal subjective ideas about the given problem. The presented factual information is analysed in the explicit content of the narrative. Content-oriented analysis is aimed at clarifying the implicit content: meaning and significance, manifestations of certain motives, features of the formulation of the narrative, its meaningful changes. Formal analysis consists in clarifying the structure of narratives, the sequence of changes, their relationship with the temporal axis, complexity and interconnectedness; feelings and images reflected in works of art. Semiotic analysis is used to study works of art, the meanings embedded in them in view of the change in the socio-political situation (from annexation to full-scale invasion). Scientific novelty. Its use, along with the traditional one, creates a new path for the development of conceptual art, which is now relevant, since it allows not only to restore one’s identity on the basis of ancient cultural traditions, but also to form a new awareness of oneself in the world space. Conclusions. As a result of the study, it was found that the pro-Russian narratives that existed in the cultural space of Ukraine before 2014 have disappeared, and pro-Ukrainian ones are being promoted more actively, which indicates an awareness of their identity and a desire for national independence. A rather dramatic change can be traced in relation to Russian culture, which is recognised as imposed from the outside and implanted over the centuries by force. Subsequent research involves systematisation and analysis of modern symbolism that arose during a full-scale war and evokes lasting associations.

Commercial Law and its Evaluation in International Law

The ease and prevalence of capital movement across international borders has led to its expansion in trade and the economy in recent years, and this may make resolving legal disputes more challenging. As a result of all these changes, national markets are becoming more and more global marketplaces, and commerce is expanding. Legal processes in this process must first be identified, and their characteristics ascertained in order to resolve legal disputes. While research has been done on qualified merchants in commercial law and related fields, no research has been done on qualified merchant requirements on an international scale. This study has, therefore, evaluated the global nature of the qualified trader under commercial law. Semiotic analysis and content analysis techniques were used in the study to evaluate conceptual studies carried out in academic settings. The research findings indicate that while certain national laws exist in the field of commercial law for eligible merchants, significant shortcomings persist in this domain, even within domestic legal frameworks. Confusion in domestic law stems from a number of factors, including the distinction made between the concepts of tradesman and merchant, the definition of "commercial enterprise," and the use of the term "part of" in reference to the requirement of operating a portion of the commercial company. International legal confusion results from inadequate representation of the qualifications of domestic and foreign traders in the legal system, which in turn affects local and national definitions of qualified traders and international activity areas. As a result, both domestically and globally, a more flexible, inclusive, and problem-solving legal strategy is needed.

The Representation of Skepticism in Don’t Look Up Film: An Overview of Current Environmental Issue

This article explores the representation of skepticism in the film "Don't Look Up," highlighting its commentary on contemporary environmental issues. Through a satirical lens, the film portrays the tension between scientific evidence and societal indifference, revealing the complexities of public perception regarding climate change and ecological crises. The purpose of this study is to analyze the signs that represent skepticism in the film. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research using the semiotic theory of Pierce (1906) which consists of representation (sign), object, and interpretation. The researchers found types of representation in the form of 3 types of quali-sign, 15 sin-sign, and 2 legi-sign. The objects in the form 4 types of icons, 13 types of indexes, and a symbol. The interpretation in the form 17 of argument type. The signs that represent skepticism can be found in scenes in the form of dialogue, attributes, movements, and expressions. The film also represented that skepticism has a negative side towards the environment. In addition, this film represents that skepticism can be carried out in all aspects of social circles such as government, media, and society. The film serves as a critical reflection of current attitudes toward environmental challenges, emphasizing the dangers of misinformation and the necessity for collective action. Ultimately, this exploration underscores the film's relevance in stimulating discourse on the urgent need for recognition and response to the climate crisis, encouraging audiences to reconsider their roles in fostering awareness and advocacy in the face of skepticism.

A Morris Semiotic Perspective on the Characteristics and Cultural Significance of Traditional Guangdong Furniture Patterns

Based on Morris's semiotic theory, this paper systematically analyzes the symbolic features of traditional Guangdong furniture patterns and their cultural symbolism from the three dimensions of semiotics (syntax, semantics, and pragmatics). The study focuses on typical patterns such as dragon and phoenix, pine and crane, plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum in Guangdong traditional furniture, and explores their historical origins, social functions, and close links with Confucianism, family concepts, and social hierarchies in the context of Lingnan culture. By analyzing these symbols, the paper reveals their special symbolic meanings in different social classes and ritual cultures, as well as how they convey the values and lifestyles of the Guangdong region through visual forms. The study further explores the potential application of these traditional symbols in modern design, especially through simplification and abstraction, combining traditional cultural symbols with modern design concepts, materials and techniques to realize the fusion of cultural heritage and innovative design. This paper provides a new theoretical framework for the study of the patterns of traditional furniture in Guangdong, and practical suggestions for modern designers on how to effectively inherit and innovate the cultural heritage symbols, and to promote the synergistic development of cultural heritage preservation and design industry.

Engaging culturally and linguistically diverse youth in semiotic analysis for community‐based inquiry

AbstractThis manuscript examines multimodal storytelling as community inquiry for an urban high school class of 30 first‐ and second‐generation bi/multilingual immigrant students, most of whom maintained transnational connections. We share how these students, in an A.P. Research class, engaged in community‐based inquiry and utilized various multimodal artifacts from a university cultural heritage collection, including a field trip to the cultural heritage archives, to analyze signs and symbols. We asked: How did students engage with semiotic resources and approaches to support inquiry about their school and neighborhood communities? Findings showed that students drew upon their linguistic and cultural experiences to analyze signs and symbols, yet in their digital storytelling presentations some student groups chose signs and symbols that reified stereotypical views of their neighborhood despite their insider status in the local community. We offer recommendations for using cultural heritage artifacts to advance multimodal meaning‐making in teaching and research.

Semiotics Analysis of Audrey Hepburn's Clothes in the Movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Before televisions entered homes, cinema was the biggest source of entertainment for people. Fashion and cinema have been influenced by each other for years. The movies released are like new windows into people's lives. Women and men have tried to imitate the clothes and styles of the artists in the movies and tried to look like them. The clothes, hairstyles and make-up of movie artists influenced fashion a lot. The outfits in the movies that broke viewing records in the cinema at that time became the models that people preferred. In this study, it is aimed to analyze the design features, reflected "literal meaning" and "connotation" phases of fashion icon and actress Audrey Hepburn's outfits in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffaniy'de" with Ronald Barthes' semiotics method, which is accepted in many fields. Semiotic analysis of the clothes in different scenes in the movie was made. As a result, it was observed that the clothes in the movie still influence today's fashion.

Beyond the Language: Arabic Language Textbooks in Arab–Palestinian Society as Tools for Developing Social–Emotional Skills

Social–emotional learning (SEL) is recognized as an important component of the educational system, significantly impacting student success. This study aims to examine how Arabic language textbooks used in Arab elementary schools in Israel serve as tools for developing social–emotional skills, beyond their role in language instruction. Using a content analysis and semiological analysis on nine ‘Arabic Our Language’ textbooks for Grades 1 to 6, the findings revealed that all categories of social–emotional skills defined by CASEL were represented, but with an imbalance in their prevalence. Interpersonal relationship skills were the most frequent, while social awareness was the least represented, despite its importance in the Israeli context, which is the context in which this study takes place. Additionally, lower grades (1–3) showed a lack of SEL content compared to higher grades (4–6), even though an early integration of these skills is more effective. Furthermore, the SEL content did not always align with the fundamental principles for optimal implementation. This study emphasizes the need for curricula and textbooks in Arabic language education that are adapted to each developmental stage and tailored to the Israeli socio-cultural context. The findings underscore the critical role of Arabic language textbooks in fostering a holistic educational experience, preparing students for both academic and social success, and serve as a call to action for curriculum designers and textbook authors to integrate social–emotional learning in linguistic educational materials.

Analysis Semiotic of Meaning Courage in Qaṣīdah (al-Burdah, al- Niffarīyah, al-Mutanabbī, and al-Ahtyar)

<table style="width: 688px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="501"><p><strong>This study aims to analyze the semiotic meaning of the word "courage" in four classical Arabic <em>Qaṣīdahs: Qaṣīdah al-Burdah, Qaṣīdah al-Niffarīyah, Qaṣīdah al-Mutanabbī, </em>and<em> Qaṣīdah al-Ahtyar</em>. This study uses Roland Barthes' semiotic theory to identify the signifiers, signs, and connotative meanings of the word "courage" in these poems. This research uses a qualitative-descriptive approach and a content analysis research design. The data collection techniques used are literature reviews. Primary data is in the <em>Qaṣīdah al-Burdah, Qaṣīdah al-Niffarīyah, Qaṣīdah al-Mutanabbī, </em>and<em> Qaṣīdah al-Ahtyar</em>. Secondary data comes from readings related to the study. The data obtained is reduced, displayed, and verified. The findings show that the semiotic analysis of the word "courage" in the four <em>Qaṣīdahs</em> reveals a testament to the enduring value of courage in guiding Muslims to face challenges and uphold their beliefs in a changing world. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the rich and nuanced understanding of courage in Islamic culture. These insights can contribute to a deeper appreciation of the Islamic ethical framework and its relevance in contemporary society. In addition, the methodology of this study demonstrates the applicability of semiotic analysis in unearthing deeper meanings embedded in literary and cultural texts.</strong><strong></strong></p><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table>

Cultural Characteristics of Female Hero Images in Intangible Cultural Heritage Films

In Chinese films with intangible cultural heritage themes, female images are an indispensable presence. Particularly, several renowned female hero figures derived from folklore literature, such as Liu Sanjie, Ashima, and Hua Mulan, stand out as symbols of both traditional Chinese heroines and the cultural zeitgeist. This paper utilizes Roland Barthes' semiotic theory to analyze the characteristics of these three representative intangible cultural heritage-themed folk literature films. By employing text analysis methods, it examines the elements of costume, dialogue, setting, and plot in these films. These symbolic elements elucidate the development of female characters and cultural transformations, revealing how traditional culture is represented and transmitted in modern media. The paper also explores the crucial role and value of women in the preservation and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, offering suggestions for better shaping the images of female heroes in intangible cultural heritage-themed films.

Masculine Violence in Turkish Folk Dances

As a social issue, violence continues to manifest and remains a current topic of academic research. Scientific studies mostly focus on the individual and societal dimensions of violence; however, studies that address violence in the context of everyday life practices remain limited. This study argues that violence has a masculine character as a result of gender inequality and within the framework of the masculinity-power relationality. On the other hand, this study considers folk dances as a product of social culture and views them as an effective form of non-verbal communication within society. The study is based on the claim that, in folk dances observed in formal or informal ceremonial events, which are part of everyday life and contain elements of violence, violence is legitimized as a spectacle. In this context, local folk dances from different regions of Turkey, performed exclusively by male dancers and portraying themes of heroism, victory, bravery, and courage, have been selected as examples. These include Trabzon Bıçak Horonu, Bursa Kılıç-Kalkan, Manisa Seğmen Sekmesi, Balıkesir Bengi, Erzurum Köroğlu Barı, Giresun Tüfekli Çandır Karşılaması, and Diyarbakır Şur-u Mertal. The violent content of these dances has been analyzed through the method of semiotic analysis. Weapons used in these dances, fast and rhythmic tunes, and rigid movements have been considered as indicators of violence. It has been concluded that these dances, admired and enthusiastically applauded, normalize violence. This study makes a significant contribution by addressing folk dances within the context of violence and aims to fill the gap in the literature in this field.

Name and Power Relation to African-American Identity in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man

This study aims to explore the relationship between names and African-American identity in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Through a qualitative descriptive analysis, the study investigates how power relations influence the construction of African-American identity in the novel. This study used semiotic approach by applying Charles Sander Peirce’s semiotic theory in examiningg the use of name, as well as sociological approach by applying Michel Foucault's concept of power relations in analyzing power relation to social identity. The findings reveal that names, while significant, are not the sole determinants of African-American identity. The study discovers that, after the Civil War, many African-American characters in the novel chose names of European origin in an attempt to avoid negative racial stigma and discrimination. Instead, the study finds that identity construction is primarily shaped by social categorization and comparison and that power relations play a crucial role in limiting positive representations of African-American identity. This study sheds new light on the relationship between names, power, and African-American identity in literature and provides insights into the ongoing discourse surrounding these important cultural and social issues.