Types of semiotics

Eugene Matusov (ematusov who-is-at cats.ucsc.edu)
Fri, 15 Mar 1996 17:41:42 -0800

Hello everybody--

I want to make a brief comment on Jay, Judy, and Stanton's discussion on
semiotics.

I'm currently working on a paper with a tentative title "The context of
decontextualization." So far I have come to the idea that it might be
useful to distinguish different types of semiotics without overgeneralizing
a concrete type of semiotics as the semiotics.

So far I extracted from the literature three types of semiotics (but it can
be more) (my terminology is tentative yet):
1. Embedded situated semiotics. Simplified definition: Transformation of
participant's perception mediated by contextual clues in the activity flow.
Examples: Improvisational jazz, collaborative lesson with emerging
curriculum, Micronesian navigation system described by Hutchins (1983),
planning in action, and so on.
2. Disembedded situated semiotics. Simplified definition: Transformation
of participant's perception mediated by "semiotic maps" to prepare the
participant for the further embedded situated semiotics (see above).
Examples: Using mall directories and maps for sea navigation, planning
ahead, note music, and so on.
3. Decontextualized semiotics. Simplified definition: Mediated tools for
connecting with, "traveling" through, and extending alienated global
networks that allow a person use other people's practices without becoming a
participant in them. Examples: syllogisms, school (and lab) tests,
scientific texts, money, and so on.

Any thoughts?

Eugene Matusov
UC Santa Cruz

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Eugene Matusov
UC Santa Cruz