Although linguists refuse the status of language to all communication, a message can be inferred not only from the mere simple agglutination of symbols but more precisely from the true system signs of the image. But often, image is perceived to be weak in respect of meaning, and as a result, some perceive an image to be an extremely rudimental system when compared with language, while others feel that the ineffable richness embedded therein can be fully exhausted.
In reference to the presented article, Rhetoric of the Image, the author, Roland Barthes, informs that regardless of the supposed limitation of meaning, it supports a veritable ontology of the signification process (Barthes, 2015). But seemingly, the author preferably analyses an advertising message since they are undoubtedly intentional.
While analyzing the presented, Panzani advertisement image, the author initially identifies the most obvious aspects supporting linguistics, including caption and labels inserted, allowing code identification. Devoid of the linguistic message leaves a pure image asserted to be twofold: denotational and connotational, and since the signs are not linear, the order is unimportant (Barthes, 2015). The author then proceeds to the iconic message, the relation between signified and signifier, which is asserted to be quasi-tautological, and the transition. A satisfactory analysis should present the linguistic message as well as a coded-iconic and non-coded iconic message.
Questions Relating to the Article
How does one determine the nature of transformation between the signifieds and signifiers?
Why does the author imply that the absence of code reinforces the myth of photographic naturalness?
The author emphasizes that coding of the denoted message consequently affects connoted message since the literal coding prepares and facilitates connotation by establishing a certain discontinuity in the image at once. What does this imply?
A core aspect differentiating the message presented in drawing and photograph is the ethic. What other aspects discriminate against these elements?