Semiotics

Briefly describe the medium used, the genre to which the ‘text’ belongs and the context in which it was found.

The picture was found at funnypictures.com. The genre is quite difficult to define. Due to the fact it has something to do with cartoons, but also showing a bit of drama and fun. If the receiver recognizes the cartoon figures, Super Mario and Yoshi. Then the understanding of why Mario leaves and let Yoshi fall, will be much more clear. Obviously you will also understand the betrayal and abusing fact.

Why did you choose this ‘text’?

I find this ‘text’ interesting. How would you ever imagine that Super Mario could be a traitor? In this way Betrayal can be put in a more dramatic but also funny context. It’s a very creative way of showing the idea of ‘betrayal’.

How does the ‘text’ relate to your own values?

It’s showing in a more funny way how betrayal feels. It’s showing how people are been abused nowadays. It’s a serious ethical issue that happens often in our society at different levels. In this way it relates to my own values of how not to live as a human being.

What are the important signifiers and what do they signify?

Important signifiers are the word ‘Betrayal’, the jumping Mario, the falling Yoshi. They signify Betrayal.

How might a change of medium affect the meanings generated?

If we change the medium from a poster/picture to a textual story. It would be less funny for the receiver, if this signification was in a written story telling form. I think the fun factor will be less strong and the seriousness of this ethical subject will be increased.

How does one signifier relate to the others used (do some carry more weight than others)?

The word Betrayal is the most important signifier that supports the graphics. If the word wasn’t there, we would have interpret something else. Maybe losing or falling would be signified instead of betrayal.

What insights has a semiotic analysis of this ‘text’ offered?

I’ve learned what the difference is between a signifier and signified. The form and concept are both very important to show the signification. A sign must have both a signifier and a signified. I also discovered that we as human beings are driven by a desire to make meanings. We make meanings through our creation and interpretation of ‘signs’. Like Peirce said: ‘We think only in signs. Nothing is a sign unless it is interpreted as a sign’.

As long somebody interprets the betrayal picture, referring to or standing for something other than itself, it has its own signification.