Page 12 - Introducing Cultural Studies
P. 12
The theory of signs
developed from the
work of Swiss
linguist, Ferdinand
de Saussure (1857-
1913). He argued
that language is a
cultural
phenomenon; and it
generates meaning
in a special way.
Language produces
meaning by a system
of relationships, by
producing a network
of similarities and
differences.
Saussure's followers developed a study of signs - semiotics - to
establish the basic features of signs and explain the way they work
in social life.
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