Social Semiotics for Social Media Visuals: A Framework for Analysis and Interpretation

Author First name, Last name, Institution

Hossam Mohamed Elhamy, Zayed University

Document Type

Book Chapter

Source of Publication

Handbook of Research on Advanced Research Methodologies for a Digital Society

Publication Date

2022

Abstract

The social semiotics approach examines the meaning-making process in order to demonstrate how meaning is constructed in social actions and contexts. The rising interest of researchers in social media and its widespread use in society have both highlighted new challenges for data analysis. Social semiotics can provide a deep understanding of the visual grammar of the social media meaning-making process by assuming that this process is considered a social practice. The main objective of this chapter is to guide researchers and enable them to use the social semiotic approach as a research tool for the analysis of visuals in the social media environment. The chapter introduces the key elements, principles, assumptions, and rules of using the social semiotics approach in the analysis, understanding, and interpretations of social media visuals and how to explore the role played by visual elements in the meaning-making process in a social media within a specific social context.

ISBN

9781799884736

Volume

IGI Global

Disciplines

Communication

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

no

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