Semiotics...

Semiotics is the study of sign processes, signs and symbols, or signification and communication. Semiotics were first studied by the Swiss linguist Saussure.  It is usually

divided into the three following branches:

• Semantics: Relation between signs and the things to which they refer

• Syntactics: Relations among signs in formal structures

• Pragmatics: Relation between signs and their effects on the people who use them

The diagram explains how a sign can be Signifier - the physical form a sign or Signified - the meaning from the physical sign. If the Semiotics are Signified they can have either Connotations or Denotations. Connotations are the deeper meanings behind the sign whereas denotations are the most obvious meaning to the sign.