Structuralism

Question	Answer
Aims	> Breaks down literature to see its basic structure > This is what creates the meaning of a text
What does structuralism say about language?	> Language is created by the interaction of signs >A word is only given meaning through its relation to other words- what it doesn't mean.
What is a sign?	> Combination of the signifier and the signified >It is the "word", the thing that instigates the meaning
What is the signifier?	> The object or symbol we see or hear etc (without meaning)
What is the signified?	> The meaning that is being given to the signifier > The definition given the the word > The thing we think/understand by the signifier
How is the structuralist argument towards language affected by culture?	> Signs can change due to cultural differences between signifier and signified > Relies on a cultural agreement of what a signifier means >Language represents the underlying ideologies etc of a culture.
What is the structure of language?	> Language is given meaning, the sign is given the signified, by its relationship to other words.
What do structuralist see as the two types of language?	1) Langue- the specified language system made up of rules and codes 2) Parole- Every day speech ie the Langue in context
What type of language do structuralists focus on?	The Langue
What does structuralism say constitutes the meaning of a text?	> signs (signifier + signified) are the basic structures of literary codes- the meaning of texts

Resource summary

	Created by Georgia Guy over 9 years ago