Holiday signs

In the article “Semiotics and Television” by Ellen Seiter, Semiotics is defined as being” the study of everything that can be used for communication,” which includes “words, images, traffic signs, flowers, and music” (Seiter). Using the example of a sign, Ellen Seiter further describes a form of communication that is present in our everyday lives. In the reading, she describes that Ferdinand de Saussure defined the sign as being “the smallest unit of meaning” composed of two parts; “a signifier and a signified” (Seiter). Signifiers are the images or objects themselves while the signified is its definition, representation or meaning. Based on this information, I couldn’t help but realize that I have been exposed to signs since the day I was born and my ability to identify between signs and what they mean has been learned through experience and constant exposure. For example with the holidays coming up I see decorations for Halloween in many stores. A picture of pumpkin carving face signifies Halloween and through this simple representation the picture is representing the annual holiday of dressing up in costumes, eating candy, and trick or treating.  Immediately after Halloween, we will be exposed to signs with turkey’s on them representing thanksgiving, the day we gather with our families and enjoy a great delicious meal together.  After thanksgiving, we will be exposed to images of Santa Clause, reindeer,  and frosty the snowman which represent Christmas. Then in February, we will be exposed to red hearts and pink hearts and roses and chocolates representing Valentine’s Day, the day of love and there are so many iconic signs for every day we celebrate and our ability to recognize these signs as well as attach meaning and emotion to them is through exposure, communication, interaction and experience.