Most of us cringe whenever we hear the word 'Semiotics' as it sounds like a such a complex and difficult word. But little do we know that we actually use them and apply them unconsciously in our daily lives.
For instance, what do you do when you want to greet someone?
Do you take your hand out and offer a hand shake?
Do you put your hands on your side and bow forwards?
Or do you kiss the other on the cheek perhaps?
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All these are various different gestures used by different people from all over the world when they want to greet someone. Gestures are a form of a sign to communicate or express meaning to another and hence gestures are a part of the semiotic system. This brings us to our discussion for the week; that is Do Semiotic Systems Have an Effect on Human Behaviour?
Based on the above explanation, it is undeniable that semiotic systems effects us humans largely. In fact we use it so often that it becomes second nature to us. For example, when we see a smiling face, we immediately assume that that person is happy. This is because the act of smiling is understood universally as a sign to express happiness, and joy.
Another example of the effect of semiotics on human behaviour is the act of waving - something that we never fail to do at least more than once a day. Waving is a gesture or sign widely understood as the meaning of 'hello'.
Nevertheless, the act of waving can also mean 'NO' in certain other parts of the world. And this brings us to our next topic of whether our lives would be different had we been exposed to different signs. My opinion is that yes, our lives would have been different if we have been exposed to different signs.
So, in conclusion, I'd say that semiotic systems does play a huge role in our lives and in human behavior. In addition, our lives would be very different if we were exposed to different signs.... Just imagine not being able to pose with the V-sign whenever you want your photograph to be taken. xD
To me, I do agree also that semiotic systems plays a huge part in our lives. It is interesting to know what some gestures means in different countries or cultures. Seeing that how these small gestures may affect our 'safety' in specific countries. haha.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to what you have mentioned on the above post, the "thumbs up" gesture that we is widely used all the time is a sign of approval which means good, well done or awesome. But in Thailand, it is a very obscene gesture.
Curling your pointer finger as in telling someone to come towards you may be a normal or common gesture in most of the countries but in Philippines, it is only a way used on calling dogs. Worse come to worst, you might either be arrested or getting your pointer finger broken to prevent you from acting the same thing again.
So, always learn the right and wrong gestures, behaviors or signs before getting yourself in trouble.
Yes, of course semiotic system affect and shape our life. Don't know how many of you remember or heard before our parents or friends tell us that pointing someone with index finger is rude? Actually that is the culture Japanese and Chinese, for them should use open hand rather than index finger to point someone.
ReplyDeleteAnd we might realize that when someone is more into a kind of culture, he/she may show it in their lifestyle, for example, those who are usually living in western country or more into western lifestyle, they met their friend they'll offer their hand to shake hand. While for those who are more into Japanese or Korean culture they mostly used with the movement bow to each other when they meet each other or leaving, and in the other hand, usually we find this kind of movement is natural because we are expose to those kind of culture.
But think it back to the past or maybe some places which they do not know anything about the culture of Korean or Japanese, they find this habit is strange or new for them. I still can remember when I was still a kid and the first time watch Korean movie, I asked my mother why they always bow, because it is something new for me. How about you? Do you remember the time when you first know about some culture that you never come to contact with?
This obviously shows how semiotic system works around us. Look around and we might find some interesting habit we having is affected with semiotic system but we do not realize it. =)
Semiotic system, signs and gestures does shape up our life.Different culture have interpretation for every sign, for example the Indian head shake is a common gesture most notably in India whereby the motion usually consists of a side-to-side tilting of the head. This often performed by the listener in agreement with what is being said by the speaker, such that the speaker perceives there is 'no problem' with the message currently being conveyed. In Bulgaria, this is the equivalent of a nod meaning yes, whereas a quick nod up means no.But for most culture it will be preceived as a no instead.
ReplyDeleteanother example-a more universal one is of baby language. i found out this recently while chatting with one Latvia and India friend where by for us "mum mum" means eat; "shh shh" means pee.
intersting right?
chew win chen
As our daily routine,different people are drawn to different kind of semiotic systems.This is the human factors in semiotic & that the why we have all these ways of expressing things. This is because each way of expressing has unique qualities to it.We can express our sadness feeling through sketches,dance,music & so on.
ReplyDeleteExample,in the painting of "The Old Guitarist", the predominant colors used by Picasso is blue and was painting during his "blue period".That is how to get to know how sadness gets communicated here. Of course, we feel "blue" when we feel sad, so the color is part of it.
Moreover,the green light of the traffic signal is a sign which mean to “go”.Within the semiotic system of traffic control,the words are the signs in the semiotic system of language.
I agree that semiotic system have significant impact in our daily live. We are used to doing the body gestures as signs without knowing it.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are asked to answer a yes/no question, we may not say the answer in words but we can use non-verbal communication to answer. For example, we nod our head which means "yes”. Otherwise, we will shake our head which signifies "no". The nodding and shaking head gestures are understandable in most countries. They have become common signs to indicate agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgment for nodding head, yet shaking head indicates negation.
However, different cultures assign different meanings to the gesture. In Bulgaria, when Bulgarians shake their heads, they mean "yes". The head gestures to say "yes" and "no" are inverted in comparison with the other European countries. So, it is better avoid answering to yes/no questions with your head only in certain country. Since other person may understand or interpret the sign wrongly.