sign = symbol
I thought the conversation about symbols/signs during the last 10 minutes of class was really interesting. It's cool because signs always stand for something... whether it is as literal as a deer crossing sign signifying to slow down and look for deer (not such if this is as global but anywhere deer are possibly crossing roads), an animal’s footprints means an animal is nearby or seeing smoke and thinking fire... it's pretty cool that that is a global system. There are so many languages in the world that it is hard at times to cross culturally communicate.
(I’m not sure how well this links but I thought it was an interesting connection)Even as we discussed in my social psychology class, even our nonverbal communication can be misinterpreted between cultures. For example, giving the okay hand gesture in Italy is like giving the finger to someone here... very different sign. Another example is somewhere else in the world (don't remember where Professor Ansfield said) where us nodding our head "yes" means no to them and us shaking our head "no" means "yes... These types of signs can lead to horribly misconceived information.
As explained on page 54, not only do different cultures speak differently – all have their own system of codes. For instance, the way they dress, the way the look, their gender social roles, etc. The great thing with the use of signs and symbols is that there is an opportunity to make them globally explicable. The challenge is to make all sign systems coexist to make them neutral and understood by all no matter what language you speak or where in the world you are.
I think it's really interesting that there are an amazing amount of signs that all cultures share, but I agree with you that at times they are also quite different. For some reason this made me think about the difference some people see in a 'sign from God' and a pure coincidence. These signs could cause dramatically different actions.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that the ideas of signs and symbols are very interesting in religion today. Every sign and symbol has their own specific definition and meaning. However, in different groups these signs/symbols can be interpreted differently. For example, Jesus is a part of many different religions but plays a different role in each of the religions. He symbolizes different things is the different religions.
ReplyDeleteMy question is about your final comment that we should make sign systems coexist by making them neutral and understood by all. But I wonder if that does not end up making us all alike. Because of globalization we all kind of think and talk and signal each other quite similarly.. and I find that sad. I guess I like the distance between people. Although that comes with risks of conflict.. I think we'll hit this topic when we discuss the Bahai at the end of the class..
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