Population
Permanent Population:
2000 - 38,216
2006 - 55,564
2009 - 55,010
2015 - 59,727
2016 - 60,308*
2019 (projected) - 62,774
2000 - 38,216
2006 - 55,564
2009 - 55,010
2015 - 59,727
2016 - 60,308*
2019 (projected) - 62,774
Racial Composition:
Caucasian & other: 65.1%
Hispanic or Latino: 18.9%
African American: 11.9 %
Asian: 3.9%
Caucasian & other: 65.1%
Hispanic or Latino: 18.9%
African American: 11.9 %
Asian: 3.9%
ABS and Sweet Pea went to the Wellington, Fl Mall today because it was 55 degrees with a strong wind blowing because global warming and fracking Halliburton.
And so we walked around window shopping and we came across this store with a particular advertisement.
Now, ABS is no Umberto Eco
The Semiotic Process and the Classification of Signs
By Lucie Guillemette and Josiane Cossette
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
1. ABSTRACT
ECO
Because the field of semiotics covers quite a diversity of signs, Umberto Eco has developed a classification in which he distinguishes between artificial and natural signs. This will be the topic of the present chapter. Natural signs are divided into two classes: (1) signs identified with natural events or things (for example, the position of the sun); and (2) signs unintentionally produced by a human agent (for instance, a rash indicating chickenpox). This class includes several subclasses. A similar division is made for artificial signs, which are either (1) intentionally produced in order to signify (the barking of a dog, for example), or (2) intentionally produced as a primary function (for example, a chair for sitting), a secondary function (a diamond necklace for wealth), or a combined function (a police uniform, which serves both to cover and to indicate a social function).
This text may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, provided the complete reference is given:
Lucie Guillemette and Josiane Cossette (2006), « The Semiotic Process and the Classification of Signs », in Louis Hébert (dir.), Signo [online], Rimouski (Quebec), http://www.signosemio.com/eco/semiotic-process-and-classification-of-signs.asp.
Lucie Guillemette and Josiane Cossette (2006), « The Semiotic Process and the Classification of Signs », in Louis Hébert (dir.), Signo [online], Rimouski (Quebec), http://www.signosemio.com/eco/semiotic-process-and-classification-of-signs.asp.
2. THEORY
2.1 ORIGINS AND FUNCTION
The starting point of Eco's theory is the fact that, in both industrialized and nature-based civilizations, human beings are evolving in a "system of systems of signs". Drawing much of his inspiration from the work of Peirce, he developed his theory of the sign in 1973, and went on to revise it in 1988. A distinguishing feature of Eco's theory is that in addition to words and language, it also addresses non-linguistic and even natural signs, which do signify, based on a code, or previous learning.
2.2 DEFINITION OF THE SIGN
From the many meanings listed in the dictionaries for "sign", a comprehensive definition has been formulated: "The sign is used to transmit information; to say or to indicate a thing that someone knows and wants others to know as well" (Eco 1988, 27). The sign fits into this simplified canonical model of communication:
source – sender – channel – message – receiver –
This model can be applied to most processes of communication. However, a message can pass through a channel from sender to receiver without ever signifying, if the sender and the receiver do not share a common code. Besides being an element in the process of communication, the sign is also an actor in the process of signification.
NOTE: THE CODE
The code is found in Jakobson's communication model. It designates all of the conventions that make it possible for the sender's message to be understood by the receiver in an act of communication. The code may thus be a language, a system used in sports (the referee in baseball or the signs used for communication between the catcher and pitcher), kinesics (interpreting unconscious nonverbal language, such as tiny facial movements), etc.
2.3 IMPORTANCE OF THE CODE
In the process of signification, the code is primordial. For example, if a person says: "Viens ici" to a friend, the friend will only understand if he or she speaks French. The sender and receiver must share a common code, that is, "a series of rules that will allow one to attribute a signification to the sign" (translation of Eco, 1988, 28).
Codes are necessary for any communicative activity. There are as many codes (linguistic and non-linguistic) as there are activities and contexts. For example, the code of medical semiotics (the study of symptoms) is what allows the doctor to conclude that the patient's "stomachache" is in fact a liver problem.
2.4 CLASSIFICATION OF SIGNS
Since the word "sign" designates a multitude of different objects, Eco formulated an initial classification wherein he distinguishes artificial signs and natural signs. Afterwards, he refined this classification, and signs became sign-functions in his typology of the modes of sign production (see the chapter on the modes of sign production).
2.4.1 ARTIFICIAL SIGNS
Artificial signs are divided into two classes: (1) signs intentionally produced in order to signify; (2) signs intentionally produced as functions.
2.4.1.1 SIGNS INTENTIONALLY PRODUCED IN ORDER TO SIGNIFY
These signs always originate from a sender (human or animal). They are produced consciously by someone, based on specific conventions, and with the aim of communicating something to someone.
2.4.1.2 SIGNS INTENTIONALLY PRODUCED AS FUNCTIONS
This class owes its existence to the current trend in semiotics, which Eco expresses as follow: "once society exists, every function is automatically transformed into a sign of that function" (Eco, 1979, 24). Consequently, included in this class of signs are objects such as architectural creations, clothing, furniture, modes of transportation, etc.
These objects refer to a primary function, and a secondary function as well. There are also signs combining both functions.
2.4.1.2.1 SIGNS THAT HAVE A PRIMARY FUNCTION
The object of the sign refers to a primary function, such as "sitting" in the case of a chair, "movement" in the case of an automobile, "shelter" in the case of a house, etc.
2.4.1.2.2 SIGNS THAT HAVE A SECONDARY FUNCTION
In this case, signification is more strongly marked by the semiotic characteristics of the object. A marble bathtub from Italy encrusted with gold and mother-of-pearl is so strongly associated with wealth, prestige and luxury that its primary function as a tub in which to bathe is relegated to secondary status. The same is true of a sculpted chair made of solid wood and velvet and adorned with precious stones, known as a "throne", for which the function "royalty" is dominant, rather than the primary function of "sitting". "In certain cases, the secondary function is so dominant that the primary function is minimized or completely eliminated" (translation of Eco, 1988, 46).
2.4.1.2.3 COMBINED FUNCTION SIGNS
Most of the objects we encounter daily have both of these functions at once. Although the police uniform's primary function is to protect and cover the body, it also signifies "membership in the police force" (the secondary function), and it indicates whether the police force in question is municipal, provincial or federal, to use Québec as a example.
2.4.2 NATURAL SIGNS
Natural signs are divided into two classes: (1) signs identified with natural things or events; (2) signs unintentionally produced by a human agent.
2.4.2.1 SIGNS IDENTIFIED WITH NATURAL THINGS OR EVENTS
These signs originate from a natural source; they do not have a human sender. In order for these signs to signify despite being naturally produced, they must be decodable through the previous learning of the individual who encounters them. Nature is also "a universe of signs" (Eco, 1988, 16). The position of the sun indicates what time it is; for example; an accumulation of grey clouds signifies an approaching storm, and so on.
2.4.2.2 SIGNS PRODUCED UNINTENTIONALLY BY A HUMAN AGENT
These signs do not have an intentional sender. They are produced by a human, but not consciously or deliberately. For example, the doctor can decode the spots on his patient's skin and thereby conclude that the patient has a liver disease. The reverse is impossible: The patient cannot deliberately produce these signs (symptoms in this case) on his skin in order to signify the disease.
This class also includes psychological symptoms, behaviour, disposition, indices of race, class, and regional origin, etc.
but he received the message loud and clear, even in majority white Wellington.
Look at the thirty faces and notice how few - ABS says three out of the thirty are of majority caucasian heritage - are identifiably white.
What do you think is being communicated to the average white girl window shopping with her friends at the Mall?
Do you think the message is being received, at least subliminally?
Moi aussi.
If you desire to be popular and part of the future lil' lass, marry a negro or a mahometan.