Understanding Postsign: Adding Context to Communication

Postsign is a term used in semiotics and linguistics to describe the process of adding additional information or context to a sign after its initial interpretation. This can involve clarifying or modifying the meaning of the sign based on new information or contextual factors.

For example, if someone uses the sign "stop" to indicate that they want you to halt your actions, you might interpret this sign as a command to stop what you are doing. However, if the person who made the sign then adds the phrase "because I need to get past," this would be an example of postsign, as it provides additional information that modifies the original meaning of the sign. In this case, the original sign "stop" might have been interpreted as a request to pause temporarily, but the added context of "because I need to get past" changes the meaning to a more urgent command to halt your actions in order to allow the speaker to pass.

Postsign can be used intentionally or unintentionally, and it can be communicated through various channels such as speech, gestures, or written language. It is an important aspect of human communication, as it allows us to refine and clarify our messages in response to changing contexts and new information.