ABSTRACT
In our discussion of paradigms and syntagms, we have begun to show how signs can be organized into meaningful systems, or codes. Indeed, at its simplest, a code may be defined as a ‘vertical’ set of signs (paradigm) which may be combined according to certain ‘horizontal’ rules (syntagm). To this very basic definition we must add the fact that the signs which comprise the set and the rules for combining them must in some way be agreed upon among the members of the culture for whom that code communicates.
