Semiotics

In Today's Media class we discussed semiotics, in particular the two basic methods 'Connotation' and 'Denotation'.  Denotation referring to the visual objects that we can see and Connotation referring to  the meaning of a sign that is arrived through cultural experiences by the audience. Some connotations to places, people and objects (etc.) have a universally associated meaning for many people and then others have a very personal associated connotation depending on our experiences. An Example of a universal connotation is the image of a female  in response to the color pink and he image of a male in response to the color blue.

Here are a few more universal or 'stereotypical' connotations:

 Blonde Women:

• less intelligent
• more desirable
• dependent

A Pensioner:

• grumpy
• old
• boring
• chatty

A Computer Geek:

• shy 
• unhygienic
• wear glasses
• tucked in shirts, with suspenders
• smart

An upper class person:

• intelligent
• well/expensively dressed
• rich
• snobbish