semnificat

Semnificat is a term used in semiotics and linguistics to denote the signified—the concept, idea, or meaning associated with a sign. In the conventional dyadic model of signs, a sign consists of two inseparable components: the signifier, which is the tangible form of the sign (sound pattern, written word, image, or gesture), and the signified, the content or mental concept evoked by that form. The semnificat thus resides in the realm of meaning rather than appearance; it is the intellectual content that speakers of a language grasp, though it may vary across cultures and contexts.

The relationship between signifier and semnificat is not fixed one-to-one. A single semnificat can be linked to multiple signifiers across languages or contexts, as when different words denote the same concept. Conversely, a single signifier can evoke different semnificats depending on context, metaphor, or ambiguity. These dynamics underlie processes such as polysemy, synonymy, and figurative language.

Origins and usage: The term semnificat is used in Romanian-language semiotics and linguistic theory to discuss how signs convey meaning. It aligns with the general semiotic concept of the signified in Saussurean theory. While the signified is often treated as a mental construct, it is socially and culturally shaped and can be analyzed at levels from word meaning to broader conceptual schemas.

See also: Semiotics, Ferdinand de Saussure, signifier, sign.

References: Classic works in semiotics, including Saussure’s Course in General Linguistics; contemporary Romanian scholarly articles on sign theory.