Discusses basic language functions emphasizing the importance of spoken language and decrying the fact that linguistics, on the conceptual level, is still chiefly concerned with written language. Stresses the complexity of language and the importance of the situational context, particularly with regard to the semiotics of the media. (MES)

Describes the functions, specific uses, syntactic structure, and typographical characteristics of titles, discussing examples from newspapers, books, films, and scientific journals. Analysis of the semantic relationship between title and text is followed by the description of various instructional techniques for the production of titles and the…

Introduces alternative approach to a controversial issue in Czech linguistics--the semantics of verbs of the type "rikavat,""delavat," and so on. The article demonstrates that these verbs can be called habitual verbs in the Peircean sense of the term "habit," and the key to the semantics of these verbs is recognizing…

Contends that knowledge about information and communication technologies (ICTs) is unevenly experienced and distributed among youths and adults. Notes that teachers and researchers are confronted with the need to observe and learn from students while making critical decisions about the kinds of old and new literacies that could make schooling…

Contrasts students' presymbolic and symbolic procedures in generalizing activities. Uses the semiotic-cultural theoretical approach and focuses on the role of body, discourse, and signs when students refer to mathematical objects. Identifies types of generalizations and discusses a specific kind of rupture in the ostensive gestures and…

An approach to literary analysis of foreign language texts uses the tools provided by the study of semiotics. The technique is illustrated in the analysis of an excerpt from a French novel. (MSE)

Examination of several interrelated topics on postage stamps, including their multiple functions and significance as semiotic artifacts, precedes suggestions for incorporating them into the Italian language curriculum in such activities as reading, writing, speaking, listening, and cultural understanding. (CB)

An exploration of the interpretive potential semiotics offers for study and understanding of meaning production in science classrooms is presented. Some very basic concepts of the theory are introduced, followed by analysis of a single science lesson. The organization of the room, the structure of the lesson, and the behavior and interaction of…

Semiotics can be a useful tool for analysis in language learning situations. This is particularly true for delineating student comprehension and the familiarity/strangeness aspects of discourse or texts. Use of semiotics can help differentiate the problems facing learners of French as a native language from those facing learners of French as a…

Arguing that cognitive development involves both conceptual and semiotic achievements, the authors emphasize the distinctness of semiotic issues and develop a differentiated appreciation of semiotic aspects of cognition, particularly in elementary mathematics cognition. Semiotic analyses are provided of differences between counting, adding, and…

Explores the underlying psychology upon which media programs and services are developed and describes the psychology of producing media. Topics include editing, including non-linear editing; emotions; language, or semantics; symbols, or semiotics; production techniques, including narration and user control; motion pictures and television;…

Discusses what a sign system is, using the examples of art, music, drama, mathematics, and language. Explores how people use signs, and research on sign systems. Investigates how multiple sign systems can be incorporated into the classroom. Notes that supporting learners' flexible use of multiple sign systems may offer a better way to teach…

Examines the discourse of a problem-based learning group in medicine. Uses a conceptual distinction between linguistic (and other semiotic) resources for making typological (or categorical) versus topological (or continuous variation) meanings as part of a multimedia semiotic analysis of the data episode. (SR)

Examines the communicative effectiveness of content presented in the audiovisual ode of discourse. Ninety children viewed individually four scenes from an audiovisual cartoon in three grade levels. Questions the value placed on the audiovisual mode of communication and addresses its power to organize and present cultural knowledge. (Author/VWL)