Question bank: Linguistics and Semiotics

In the cartoon 'The language of money' by Glauco, two characters interact and dialogue with a certain level of disagreement. Analyzing the verbal and non-verbal signs present in the dialogue, identify the linguistic tool used by one of the characters to reinforce their speech and convince the other character to accept their opinion. Then, explain how this tool contributes to the construction of the meaning of communication, considering its context of use in the cartoon.

In the Portuguese Language class, teacher Ana brought several images of traffic signs and monuments, and together with the students, discussed the importance of the colors, shapes, and words contained in them for the communication of messages. During the activity, she explained that Semiotics, a branch of Linguistics, precisely studies how signs function and are interpreted in different contexts. This discipline analyzes the processes of signification and communication through signs, which can be words, images, sounds, gestures, and other elements that have some kind of meaning. Based on this context, how could Semiotics help students understand the importance of words and visual signs in constructing meaning in our daily lives? Consider practical examples of everyday situations where the interpretation of signs is crucial for effective communication.

Imagine you are a language detective and need to decipher a secret code. To solve this mystery, you must analyze a message that mixes written words and drawings. First, you will observe the drawings and think about what each one can represent. Then, analyze the written words and see how they relate to the drawings. What is the meaning of the message? Explain how you arrived at this interpretation, showing the relationship between the drawings, the words, and how they come together to form a meaningful whole.

During a text interpretation class, the professor introduced the idea that words can have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. He cited the example of the word 'banco', which can refer to a financial institution or to a long and narrow seat. Furthermore, he explained that in non-verbal language, such as a traffic light, colors also carry distinct meanings. Considering this information, and that interpersonal communication can occur through both words and signs and symbols, what is the Semiotics approach to understanding these linguistic phenomena in the social and cultural context?

Have you ever noticed how we use words, drawings, and even gestures to communicate? All these signs have a meaning and help us to understand and be understood by others. For example, when you see a red traffic light, it means 'stop'. With that in mind, I want you to tell me: what is a symbol and what is the difference between verbal and non-verbal language? Give an example of a symbol and explain why it is important for communication.