English by Tarun Thind analysis

 Answer the two questions below:

1) What meanings are the audience encouraged to take about the two main characters from the opening of the film?

Despite for the main character (English) being deaf he still used forms of sign language to speak out his emotions; even though he didn't say anything at all his actions spoke louder hence the incident of the pencil and banana in the shop. English's companion however was vocal through the whole of the film, his laugh indicating a sense of amusement towards the whole situation. At the opening of the film, we see the vigorous facial expression of English assuming he meant harm but really he didn't, which shows the impact of the emotion portrayed.

2) How does the end of the film emphasise de Saussure’s belief that signs are polysemic – open to interpretation or more than one meaning?

The fact that he was holding a banana in his pocket shows how a simple symbol has so much violence behind it since we have learnt to grow the repercussions of such acts. A fruit signifying a sort of weapon, a gun. The pencil is another example of how we are brought up in society to believe that if a black person has pencil like figure in their jacket pocket it automatically suggests that is a threat to oneself's life.Therefore, proving that de Saussure's belief that signs are polysemic since its meaning is just.

Media Magazine theory drop: Semiotics 

1) What did Ferdinand de Saussure suggest are the two parts that make up a sign?

The signifier: the thing that does the communication.

The signified: that which is communicated.

2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean?

Polysemy: multiple meanings.

3) What does Barthes mean when he suggests signs can become ‘naturalised’?

He means we need to explore deeper meanings and form opinions on how and why certain views and ideologies can take hold in society.Barthes than used semiotics (study of these meanings, or signs) in order to explain how meanings are created in society.

4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes?

Those five narrative codes are;

 hermeneutic code, 

proairetic code, 

cultural code, 

connotative code, 

And symbolic code.

Icons, indexes and symbols

1) Find two examples for each: icon, index and symbol. Provide images or links.

Icon:



Index:  a list of employees names and phone numbers

Symbol: four-leaf clover–symbolises good luck or fortune.

•            wedding ring–symbolises commitment and matrimony.

2) Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?

 Icons and indexes are very important in media texts as they emphasise the manner of the text depending on what genre it is and overall it gives it a more polished outlook of the text as a whole.Also because it gives us a sort of preview of the media we are about to watch. For example, when showcasing a horror movie most classic films have a drippy blood effect implying it is gory themed.

3) Why might global brands try and avoid symbols in their advertising and marketing?

Global brands try and avoid symbols in their advertising and marketing to ensure there is no form of plagiarism. Also because some happen to be  overused in terms of fonts and specific type of symbol.

4) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) where the producer has accidentally communicated the wrong meaning using icons, indexes or symbols. Why did the media product fail? 

"The ad has sparked accusations that Pepsi has appropriated a racial protest movement to sell a global fizzy drinks brand."

This media product failed because the message that was meant to be intended originally did not happen and instead the message was entirely misunderstood and it became a very controversial piece.

5) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) that successfully uses icons or indexes to create a message that can be easily understood across the world.

 This is a simple advert which conveys the message of the brand loud and clear as it checks of all the criteria needed such as the symbol, index and icon.