Roland Barthes Glossary

Cultural Code: The Cultural Code refers to anything in

the text which refers to an external body of knowledge
such as scientific, historical, and cultural knowledge. In
the starred reading, the Cultural Code is represented as
REF.

Filiation: The act or process of determining the

relationship of one thing to another from which it may
be said to be descended or derived.

Genre: Of a kind, type, or class; in this case referring to a

distinctive type of text.

Hermeneutic Code: The Hermeneutic Code contains

anything in the text that is mysterious or unexplained,
usually leading to questions which the reader needs
answered. In the starred reading, the Hermeneutic Code
is represented as HER.

Lexia: Barthes describes lexias as blocks of signification

and units of reading (S/Z 13). Lexias are the smaller
sections of a larger, master text. Each lexia will contain
one of more meanings corresponding to the Five Codes.

Method: A special form of procedure adopted in any

branch of mental activity, whether for the purpose of
teaching and exposition, or for that of investigation and
inquiry.

Plurality: The fact or condition of denoting, comprising,

or consisting of more than one; plural meaning.

Proairetic Code: The Proairetic Code contains

sequential elements of action in the text. Like the
Hermeneutic code, Proairetic elements add suspense to
the text. In the starred reading, the Proairetic Code is
represented as ACT.

Semantic Code: The Semantic Code refers to elements

of the text that carry referential, extra-literal meaning.
Elements of the Semantic Code are called Semes. In the
starred reading, the Semantic Code is represented as
SEM.

Seme: A seme is an element of the Semantic Code. The

seme has a connotative function in the text. It has an
extra layer of meaning in addition to its literal meaning.

Sign: The sign is derived from the relationship between

the signifier and the signified.

Signified: That part of a sign which is stood for by the

signifier.

Signifier: The material part of a sign that stands for the

signified.

Starred Reading: Once the master text has been divided

into lexias, the reader identifies which of the five codes is
represented in each lexia and provides a short
explanation for how the code is manifested.

Symbolic Code: The Symbolic code refers to organized

systems of semes. When two connotative elements are
placed in opposition or brought together by the narrator,
they form an element of the Symbolic Code. In the
starred reading, the Symbolic Code is represented as
SYM.