Theories of Signification

Theories of signification explore how meaning is created and understood through signs, symbols, and language. Central to these theories is the idea that words (signs) do not inherently contain meaning; instead, they derive meaning through social and cultural contexts. Key figures, like Ferdinand de Saussure, emphasized the relationship between the signifier (the form of a word) and the signified (the concept it represents). Understanding this helps us recognize that communication relies on shared meanings and interpretations within a community, affecting everything from everyday conversations to literature, branding, and cultural expressions.