A Theory of Semiotics

by Umberto Eco · 1978

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..". the greatest contribution to [semiotics] since the pioneering work of C. S. Peirce and Charles Morris." —Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism

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..". draws on philosophy, linguistics, sociology, anthropology and aesthetics and refers to a wide range of scholarship... raises many fascinating questions." —Language in Society

..". a major contribution to the field of semiotic studies." —Robert Scholes, Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism

..". the most significant text on the subject published in the English language that I know of." —Arthur Asa Berger, Journal of Communication

Eco's treatment demonstrates his mastery of the field of semiotics. It focuses on the twin problems of the doctrine of signs—communication and signification—and offers a highly original theory of sign production, including a carefully wrought typology of signs and modes of production.

Subject
philosophyphilosophyMore like thisLess of thisliterary criticismliterary criticismMore like thisLess of thissciencescienceMore like thisLess of thissociologysociologyMore like thisLess of this
Themes
artartMore like thisLess of thiswriterswritersMore like thisLess of this
Setting
1970s1970sMore like thisLess of thisItalyItalyMore like thisLess of thiscollegecollegeMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 368 pages
Form
essaysessaysMore like thisLess of this

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Liked A Theory of Semiotics? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked A Theory of Semiotics. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Semiotics: The Basics Daniel Chandler · 1994 Shares semiotics, philosophy, nonfiction
  2. Elements of Semiology Roland Barthes · 1964 Shares philosophy, semiotics, nonfiction
  3. Course in General Linguistics Ferdinand de Saussure · 1915 Shares philosophy, linguistics, language
  4. Introducing Semiotics Paul Cobley · 1993 Shares semiotics, philosophy, nonfiction
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“People who read A Theory of Semiotics tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Structuralism and Semiotics Terence Hawkes · 1977
  2. Limited Inc Jacques Derrida · 1988
  3. The Jargon of Authenticity Theodor W. Adorno · 1964
  4. Speech Genres and Other Late Essays Mikhail Bakhtin · 1985

“If you want more of the same (philosophy about art), start with these.”

  1. The Senses of Walden: An Expanded Edition Stanley Cavell · 1972
  2. The Sovereignty of Good Iris Murdoch · 1970
  3. The Tao Is Silent Raymond M. Smullyan · 1977
  4. A Lover's Discourse: Fragments Roland Barthes · 1977

“If it was the semiotics that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. Roland Barthes Graham Allen · 2003
  2. Peirce on Signs: Writings on Semiotic Charles Sanders Peirce · 1991
  3. Culture and Explosion Yuri M. Lotman · 1992
  4. Language in Literature Roman Jakobson · 1988

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Aesthetics of Film Jacques Aumont, Michel Marie, Alain Bergala · 1992
  2. The Pursuit of Signs: Semiotics, Literature, Deconstruction Jonathan Culler · 1981
  3. The Field of Cultural Production Pierre Bourdieu · 1993
  4. The Art of Art History: A Critical Anthology · 1998

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