ASSIGNMENT 1

A: Referent

Referent(object) is a person, thing, or idea that a work or expression denotes. A sign usually
refers to referents.

Types:

1. Lexemes such as dogs, door, leaf, etc, denote concrete references which can be seen or
touched. For example, the key to the front door.

2. The objects denoted by lexemes like problem, idea, reason are abstract referents. They
are imaginary in nature. For example, the key to success

LG or “Life’s Good” logo, consists of both concrete and abstract referents. The letters “L” and
“G” showcase the initials of the brand, which is a concrete referent. According to LG, the letters
in a circle form the shape of a human. It represents the close relations with customers around the
world, while the colour red represents friendliness. This is the abstract referent.

B: Signs

A sign is anything that shows a meaning. It can be a mark which is used as an abbreviation. An
example of sign is thumbs up for a good job.
This advertisement poster from Levi’s is a sign that a sale is going on.

A sign is made up of the signifier and the signified.

1. Signifier: a signifier is any material thing that signifies. It can be words on a page, an
image, a facial expression, etc.

2. Signified: it is the idea or meaning being expressed by the signifier.

Thus, the act or process of signifying by signs is called signification.

The company Dabur’s logo contains the banyan tree, which can also be seen as three people with
their arms raised in excitement. This is the signifier. It represents a symbol of nature. Its trunk
represents stability and the branches represent growth. This is the signified.