My Interest in Linguistic Sciences: Breaking Down Semiotics, Semantics, and Pragmatics

The Oxford Dictionary defines semiotics as “the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.” But according to Charles Sanders Peirce, it is divisible into three categories. The first is syntax, which relates signs to one another. The second is semantics, which relates signs to things in the world. The third is pragmatics, which relates signs to the agents that use them (Sowa). I mostly became interested in this topic because it is the topic I’m most familiar with given my reading history.

Semiotics is an interpretation of how language works, or a language theory. It is the study of how signs can be created, interpreted, and changed such that meaning is derived from such signs. Like the other two examples given (social constructionism and linguistic relativity) semiotics examines the creation and usage of language, the users of language, and how the language represents or relates to the overall world. By viewing the structure of language, one is able to view more clearly the origins of problems that arise in the world because of a different of viewpoint. Many times interpretation of language can become a source of a problem (or at least an aspect of it). Language theories approach the problem the same way—by examining the language surrounding the problem. But the way the language is examined is different.

An interesting problem in the United States is gun control. Guns are intricately entwined in the history and culture of this country, more so than any other. Many cite the Constitution’s Bill of Rights while saying that guns are an essential right. Others portray guns as weapons of destruction. They view the gun more as a necessary evil that should be controlled. Both sides use rhetoric to support their cause by tying guns to patriotism, by using sensational news stories, by using scare tactics, and more. The gun as a symbol comes to represent different things for different folks. There often is a lack of compromise because both sides assume the absolute worst for the other side; the moderate opinions are often drowned out. The gun mythos is especially fascinating to those like me who have not always been in this country. I believe that by examining the framework of the problem we can come to understand the problem itself better as well.