1. 22/09/23
Homework: Roland Barthes Theory.
The Roland Barthes theory is the theory of the different codes used in media
products as follows:
Symbolic codes: symbolic codes are something that are easy to understand and
quickly link to something else. For example, if we see a cross on a building or on a
sign people immediately link that to religion or christianity in particular. Or a heart
emoji correlates to loving something or someone.
Semantic codes: semantic codes are parts of a media product that have a hidden
meaning behind it. For example on the cover of most horror movies the color red is
used very frequently. The color red has a strong correlation with danger or blood
and death, or the opposite; it could symbolize love as well.
Proairetic codes/action codes: these codes signify that something will happen as a
result of something else. For example, if in a movie someone pulls out a gun, the
audience automatically thinks that something is going to happen or the person is
going to use the gun on someone eventually.
Hermeneutic codes/ enigma codes: Enigma means mystery. Enigma codes are the
mysterious parts of a media product. For example, in a newspaper or a magazine
cover when they put a suspenseful subheading that asks a question like “what does
this mean for the world, see pages 2 and 3” this makes the reader want to turn to
this page to know whatever it is talking about.
Cultural codes/referral codes: cultural codes is something that a person will only
understand if they are part of that targeted group. This could include age groups,
gender or race. For example, a video on black lives matter and struggles that the
black community goes through, will only be truly understood by people of that race
or people who are educated on that particular subject.
