The document discusses the concepts of signifier and signified. The signifier is the physical form of a sign, such as a printed word, sound, or image. The signified is the meaning or concept associated with the signifier. While signifiers can be shared, the signified can vary between individuals and contexts. A signifier only has meaning through its relationship to the signified concept or idea it represents.

1. Signifier & Signified
Signifier:
The signifier is the pointing finger, the
word, the sound-image. A word is simply a
jumble of letters. The pointing finger is not
the star. It is in the interpretation of the
signifier that meaning is created.

2. Signified:
The signified is the concept, the
meaning, the thing indicated by the
signifier. It need not be a 'real object' but
is some referent to which the signifier
refers. The thing signified is created in
the perceiver and is internal to them.
Whilst we share concepts, we do so via
signifiers. Whilst the signifier is more
stable, the signified varies between
people and contexts. The signified does
stabilize with habit, as the signifier cues
thoughts and images.

4. Signifier vs
Signified
 Signifier is a sign’s
physical form.
 Signifier can be a
printed word, sound,
image, etc.
 A signified can not
exist without a
signifier.
 Signified is the
meaning or idea
expressed by a sign.
 Signified is a concept,
object or idea.
 A Signifier without a
signified is noise(in
spoken language).