Signified
The signified refers to the value of, or what is represented by, a word or image. It is inseparable from the signifier, which is the image or word that represents the value. Together, the signified and signifier form a Sign (linguistic).
The concept of the signified was created by linguistics professor Ferdinand de Saussure[1]. The signified is often studied in semiotics[2] and linguistics.
For an example of a signified, consider a coin. The coin has a physical appearance, and represents a monetary value. The coin's monetary value is its signified; the value is represented by the physical coin (the signifier). The coin's value and its physicality are inseparable, just like a signified and signifier are inseparable. Together, the coin's value and form make a sign.
References
- ↑ Saussure, Ferdinand de (1857–1913) written by David Holdcroft in 1998, published on Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- ↑ Semiotics for Beginners written by Daniel Chandler and published to Portland State University's website