Semiotic Linguistics

Semiotic linguistics is the study of how signs and symbols create meaning in language. It examines how words (signifiers) refer to concepts or objects (signified) in the world. Reference theory, a key aspect of this field, looks at how language interacts with reality—how words connect to what they denote. For example, the word "tree" refers to the concept of a tree, allowing us to discuss and think about it. This approach helps us understand communication as a system of signs, where meaning emerges from the relationships between words, their references, and the context in which they are used.