Pls Help *Philosophy Question*........"signs"?

Question

* What is the 3 kinds of signs?
(Symbols? What else....?)

* What kind of relation do symbols have to what they symbolize?

Pls pls pls explain briefly...i dun understand the question reallly!

Thanks :o

Answer 1

Signs, Signifiers, Signified.

The Signifier represents certain symbols, whether written (as in, the image of a word itself, the letters that form it, the syntax of the sentence), verbal (the spoke word, the noises that we create) or visual (pictures, drawings, etc.)

The signified is the underlying concept- i.e., the word 'dog' stands in for the idea of 'dog.'

The sign can roughly be understood to be the unity of the two- hence, 'dog' the word becomes synonymous with the animal dog, at least for a fluent English speaker.

According to structural linguistics and psychoanalysis, signs function within what is called sign-systems, where multiple ideas and words are linked together in the mind and form of a coherent unified understanding of both the world and language. (ie 'dog' can link either to ryhming words- bog, fog, cog, etc- or to ideas linked with the idea of dogs- dogfood, barking, paws, leashes, Michael Vick, etc.)

We construct our universe of understanding out of the constellations of signs and signifiers that we encounter every day.

Answer 2

symbolize represents the action behind the symbols.

Many languages are written in symbols which represents a sound behind the symbol. So, in this case symbol, symbolize a sound.

Hitler had a symbol, from our point of view, it symbolize evil. The same symbol from the Hindu's point of view, symbolize good luck and blessings.

I hope this helps, if you are still not sure, email me.

Answer 3

Just like words, symbols are only pointers to meaning. The word "pipe" is not a pipe, it is a designation in order to communicate.

Answer 4

You've stumped me. I went immediately to linguistics and sociolinguistics and lectures on semiotics.