Introducing Social Semiotics: An Introductory Textbook - Softcover

Leeuwen, Theo Van

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415249449 ISBN 13: 9780415249447

Publisher: Routledge, 2004

Synopsis

Introducing Social Semiotics uses a wide variety of texts including photographs, adverts, magazine pages and film stills to explain how meaning is created through complex semiotic interactions. Practical exercises and examples as wide ranging as furniture arrangements in public places and advertising jingles, provide readers with the knowledge and skills they need to be able to analyze and also produce successful multimodal texts and designs.
The book traces the development of semiotic resources through particular channels such as the history of the Press and advertising; and explores how and why these resources change over time, for reasons such as advancing technology.
Featuring a full glossary of terms, exercises, discussion points and suggestions for further reading, Introducing Social Semiotics makes concrete the complexities of meaning making and is essential reading for anyone interested in how communication works.

About this title

Synopsis

"Social Semiotics" is a lively introduction to the ways in which different aspects of modern society combine to create meaning. These 'semiotic resources' surrounding us include obvious modes of communication such as language, gesture, images and music, but also less obvious ones such as food, dress and everyday objects, all of which carry cultural value and significance. "Social Semiotics" uses a wide variety of texts including photographs, adverts, magazine pages and film stills to explain how meaning is created through complex semiotic interactions. Practical exercises and examples as wide ranging as furniture arrangements in a public places, advertising jingles, photojournalism and the rhythm of a rapper's speech provide readers with the knowledge and skills they need to be able to analyse and also produce successful multimodal texts and designs. Featuring a full glossary of terms, exercises, discussion points and suggestions for further reading, "Social Semiotics" makes concrete the complexities of meaning making and is essential reading for anyone interested in how communication works.

About the Author

Theo van Leeuwen is one of the biggest names in communication and language research and his work always generates a lot of interest. He has extensive experience working in TV and film in Holland and Australia, and is now Chair of the Centre for Language & Communication Research at Cardiff University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0415249449
• ISBN 13: 9780415249447
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320