These diagrams should help you grasp the relationships between the "parts" of a sign. Although I created the diagrams, the concepts are far from original with me.
The first diagram shows the relationship betweem the physical and nonphysical aspects of the sign (its "signifier" and "signified" in structuralist jargon). Remember than the signifier and signified are like the two sides of a coin or sheet of paper—distinct but inseparable.
The term "referent" covers a wide area. A word ("sign") may refer to classes of objects, concepts, imaginary beings, etc.
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Three Types of Sign
The American philosopher, C. S. Peirce, has many things to say about signs and semiotic processes. This diagram presents a simplified version of one of his categorizations of signs.
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Back to Definitions of Signs