Topic

Fashion as a tool of communication. In this case, the text printed on T-shirts.

A Proposed Title

A Textual Analysis of English Words and Images Printed on T-shirts Produced by Riotic and

Linoleum.

Problem Identification

What are people trying to say through fashion is one way of communication. They can show

their personality by wearing sort of clothes. One of the fashion items which has printed text on it

is T-shirt. However, people may not be aware of the meaning of texts and images on T-shirts so

that it is still needed to figure out the meaning behind the text and the image which are printed on

T-shirts.

Aim of the Study

The research aim of my study is to figure out the meaning of the English texts and the picture

which are printed on T-shirts. Moreover, I am going to convey the purpose of the text and the

pictures which are printed on T-shirts.

Research Questions

The research is focusing on these questions:

1. What is the meaning of the English words and the picture printed on T-shirt?

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 2. What is the purpose of the English words and the picture printed on T-shirt?

Significance of Study

I will divide the significance of the study into two values:

1. Theoretical Value

Hopefully, my study will be useful for textual analysis study and the meaning

interpretation study. Furthermore, the interpretation of the meaning of the texts on

T-shirts will contribute to application of semiotics.

2. Practical Value

There are three parties that will get benefits from this study:

a. The writer : The research will broaden my mind about the

study about meaning interpretation of English texts, especially in

communication.

b. English Department : The English Department of Politeknik Negeri

Bandung will have more reference about research in language usage in

textual analysis.

c. People who are studying about language and communication: They will

have a reference about the research on textual analysis.

Background

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People tend to follow the fashion trend without considering the deep meaning behind the clothes.

Clothing is a visible communicating tool. The receiver of the message delivered by the clothing

items interpret the message based on their understanding. English as the international language

contribute a huge part in this kind of communication as it is understood by a massive number of

people. The meaning of the English text is important to interpret as it is the most striking element

of a T-shirt design. However, people who wear the T-shirts with English texts and images

possibly do not aware of the meaning. I would like to interpret the texts and images in order to

convey the meaning behind the design in relation to language study that I have learnt.

Literature Review

Fashion has its unique way to be one of many ways which people choose to communicate.

Communication itself cannot be separated from the basic categorizations: verbal and non verbal.

The two categories are closely related to each other, even one is defined as another. Thomas says

in her online article, fashion is a form of free speech (par. 1, 2005). Despite the fact that fashion

is not audible; it is able to say what one is trying to say.

The research about fashion has been conducted in semiotics perspective. It is very important to

review the previous studies in order to find the gap for a possibility of further research, so that I

could conduct the research which has not been done before, in relation to my topic. My research

will be about the analysis of the text meaning printed on T-shirt. Therefore, I will review five

studies related to my study. “The Analysis of High Fashion Product” and “The Analysis of Four

Designers Clothing Advertisements” are two online articles which I will review. Two studies are

about texts on T-shirt and one study is about grammatical error in banners and signboards.

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First, I will review an online article written by Alan Rhodes and Rodrigo Zuloago. The previous

studies of fashion have been trying to explain the meaning. Semiotics mostly becomes the frame

of the analyses because it seems to be the closest kind of study. Rhodes and Zuloago (2003) in

their article titled “A Semiotic Analysis of High Fashion Product” shows the analysis of the

portrait of what the producers of high fashion are conveying. They are analyzing the pictures

which cost lots of money in the execution.

Second, I will review the study which is almost similar from the previous one. Stone (2000)

searches for the meaning of high fashion advertisements in her online article. In the article titled

“A Semiotic Analysis of Four Designers Clothing Advertisements”, she chooses four designers

advertisements in one issue of Vogue magazine. She mentions a lot about signs, so we can

interpret that the approach is what is meant by the signs on the advertisements. Not only had she

analyzed the picture, but also the text. The work emphasizes on the image that the producers

want to get and also the appeal of the fashion collection. Her analysis would be a model of my

research.

The third is Desianty (2010) on her diploma final project report titled Error Analysis of

Language in Banners and Signboards in Bandung states that there are many grammatical errors

found on signboards in Bandung since people use English as their second language. The most

emphasized issues on her work are: spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. She did not

analyze the meaning of the banners and signboards. Nevertheless, she assumed that the messages

of signboards are still effective for the customers. Unlike her work, I will not analyze the

grammatical error on the texts printed on T-shirt.

Fourth, I will review the study about the fashion item. A study has been conducted to the

interpretation of slogan printed in T-shirts. Juanita (2008) in her bachelor degree research paper

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entitled A Pragmatic Analysis of Slogan Used in T-shirt states, “slogan is a group of words that

promise a reward in dramatic way; easy to be read, easy to say, easy to memorize” (p. 1). T-shirt

is one of the most favorite informal fashion items. She focuses on two things: the form of slogan

used in T-shirt and the meaning of slogan on T-shirt. I found that her specification of slogan

analysis did not cover the image and text in a whole package.

Fifth is another study about the text used in T-shirt. This one which is conducted by Pertiwi

(2010) is broader than the previous one; it is the analysis of text. The types of sentences of

English text used in T-shirt and the description of the presupposition of the English text used in

the T-shirt are the focus of her study which is titled A Pragmatic Analysis of Text Used in T-

shirt. Yet, the work is still interesting. Her approach is the interpretation of the presupposition.

Although the previous study has a wide range of the analysis of the English texts, they have left a

gap: the analysis of text and the image as a whole message on the T-shirt. Even Rhodes and

Zuloago who have done the text-and-image-analysis, they do not focusing on texts. They only

focus on fashion.

My final project will be an analysis of the texts and the images printed on T-shirts. English texts

will be my focus. The approach of the textual analysis will be both applied to analyse the text

and the image. I will not analyze the grammar for the reason that the work of art on T-shirt is a

free form of creativity.

Theoretical Framework

In my research, I will apply several theories in supporting the research. They are: fashion,

semiotics, denotation, connotation and paralanguage.

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Fashion is often connected to glamorous things besides its main function to protect and cover our

body. In relation to communication, Thomas says in her online article that fashion is a form of

free speech (par. 1, 2005). Her statement can clearly show us that fashion is one of the

communication tools. In my research, T-shirt as the one of fashion items is the subject. T-shirt

magazine (2008) in an online article mentions that now a t-shirt is one of the most common

articles of clothing, and arguably the most worn garment in the world. I will use this theory to

support my statement that fashion is the tool of communication. The English texts which I am

going to analyze are printed on a fashion item: T-shirt.

Moving on to the theory of semiotics, Chandler (2005) says that the shortest definition of

semiotics is the study of sign. This theory is very important in interpreting the meaning of the

English text together with the picture on T-shirt. Saussure as cited on Chandler defines the

elements of signs as follow:

• a 'signifier' (signifiant) - the form which the sign takes; and

• the 'signified' (signifié) - the concept it represents.

The sign is the whole that results from the association of the signifier with the signified

(Saussure 1983, 67; Saussure 1974, 67). Also, as the English text found in T-shirt is usually

together with pictures, the pictorial semiotics is also included to do the analysis. Pictorial

semiotics is, of course, concerned with the study of pictures as particular vehicles of signification

(Sonesson, 2004). The semiotics theory is very important in the interpretation of the T-shirt

design. I will use it as the guideline in finding the meaning also in finding the purpose of the

design on T-shirt.

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Denotation is known as the literal meaning of a word. Yet, connotation is the emotional and

imaginative association surrounding a word (Dowlings, n.d.). Chandler also says connotation and

denotation are often described in terms of levels of representation or levels of meaning.

Connotation and denotation are the basic approaches for finding out what is meant by the T-shirt

image and text.

Another theory is paralanguage is the part of non verbal communication. It is usually associated

with the supportive part of the verbal communication, especially in spoken communication. As

cited in an article titles “Non Verbal Communication” it concentrates more on “HOW” of the

speaker’s voice rather than “WHAT” is being said. In this research, paralanguage is about the

presentation of the text because the analysis is about written communication printed on T-shirt.

The example of written paralanguage is about the choice of letter or font, the font color, the size,

and the position. The foreground and background choice of placement can be an essential part in

communicating the purpose of the design. The example of written paralanguage is how an

advertisement of a sale program of a store. The numeral text is written much bigger than the text

“discount up to” which preceded it. The purpose is to attract more customers to buy the products.

Paralanguage theory implementation is very important in the process of meaning interpretation

as the designs of the texts and images are vary.

Research Methods

I will need samples of T-shirt which have English words printed on them. They may be the

combination of text and image or only texts. The quantity that is needed for this research is at 30

samples. I will analyze the product of Riotic and Linoleum. Both of the brands are from

Bandung.
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The technique that I will use to collect the data is by taking pictures of the T-shirts which are

available on the distribution stores. Then, I will analyze the data and draft the result of the

analysis. Qualitative method is used in conducting this research.

Resources

The data of my research are from collecting by taking pictures of T-shirts from the two brands

which are the samples of my research. I choose to analyze Riotic and Linoleum products because

their T-shirts mostly contain English texts. Moreover, to support the research, I take the source

from online articles and journals. The printed materials also help, for example handouts and

newspaper articles.

Bibliography

Bear, J.H. (n.d.). Color meanings: Symbolism of color and colors that go together. Retrieved
November 14, 2010, from http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism.htm

Biswal, S. (2008). Semiotics in visual art. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/semiotics-in-visual-art-668889.html
Cannizaro. (n.d.). Distro dan sejarahnya. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.cbus.web.id/distro-dan-sejarah-nya--64-20.info

Chandler, D. (2009). Semiotics for beginners. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem02.html

Color Symbolism and Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm

Dee_el07. (2007). What is fashion?. Retrieved November 17, 2010, from

http://purerunwayfashion.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-is-fashion.html

Desianty, Z. (2010). Error Analysis of Language in Banners and Signboards in Bandung.

Unpublished diploma final project, State Polytechnic of Bandung, Bandung, IDN.
Dowlings. (n.d.). Connotation/Denotation. Retrieved 23 December 2010, from
http://www.dowlingcentral.com/MrsD/area/literature/Terms/Connotation.html
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Ford, O.T. (n.d.). Semiotic theory. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from http://the-
stewardship.org/research/semiotics.htm

Gorny, E. (1994). What is semiotics?. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from

http://www.netslova.ru/gorny/selected/semiotics_e.htm

Handayani, T. (2007). Sejarah clothing dan distribution store (Distro). Retrieved November 14,
2010, from http://anakostco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/sejarah-clothing-dan-
distribution-store-distro/#comment-1147

Henry, D. (2009). T-shirt-the latest trend in the market. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/tshirtthe-latest-trend-in-the-market-
939437.html

History of the T-shirt. (2008). Retrieved November 14, 2010, from

http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/history-of-the-tshirt-366275.html
Irvine, M. (2010). Semiotics, communication, and cultural theory: Basic assumptions. Retrieved
November 14, 2010, from
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/theory/Semiotics_and_Communication.htm
l
JenB. (2010). There are t-shirts for all expressions. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.articlealley.com/article_1796648_34.html

JenB. (2010, November 3). A tee for any day or any reason. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.articlealley.com/article_1822731_34.html

Juanita, E. (2008). A pragmatic analysis of slogan used in T-shirt. Unpublished bachelor

research paper, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, Surakarta, IDN.
Langrehr, D. (2003, May). From a semiotic perspective: Inference formation and the critical
comprehension of television advertising. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.readingonline.org/articles/langrehr/
Non verbal communication (n. d.) Retrieved January 6, 2011. From
http://www.ihmctan.edu/PDF/non%20verbal%20communication.pdf

Pertiwi, W. J. (2010). A pragmatic analysis of text used in T-shirt. Unpublished bachelor

research paper, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, Surakarta, IDN.
Pictograms, ideograms and logograms. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.citrinitas.com/history_of_viscom/index.html
Rhodes, A., & Zuloago, R. (2003). A semiotic analysis of high fashion advertising. Retrieved
December 4, 2010, from http://www.garhodes.com/Semiotics_of_Fashion.pdf

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Rose. (2009). Fashion communication. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from http://rose-
moment.blogspot.com/2009/01/fashion-communication.html
Semiotic terminology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.uvm.edu/~tstreete/semiotics_and_ads/terminology.html
Stone, R. (2000). A semiotic analysis of four designer clothing advertisements. Retrieved
November 14, 2010, from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/rbs9701.html
Stone, R. (2000). A semiotic analysis of four designer clothing advertisements. Retrieved
November 14, 2010, from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/rbs9701.html

Thomas, P.W. (2005). Theories of fashion: Costume and fashion history. Retrieved November
17, 2010, from http://www.fashion-era.com/sociology_semiotics.htm

T-Shirt Magazine. (2008). T-shirt printing process. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.articlesbase.com/entrepreneurship-articles/tshirt-printing-process-
584847.html
Tshirtprinting. (2009). Three popular t-shirt printing methods. Retrieved November 14, 2010,
from http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-articles/t100257.html
T-Shirts: The cross generation clothing item. (2010). Retrieved November 14, 2010, from
http://www.articlealley.com/article_1796549_34.html

What is fashion. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2010, from

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002932/What%20is%20Fashion.html

Ethical Consideration
The research needs ethical consideration in collecting the data. I need to get permission from the

clothing companies’ authority to collect the samples. This ethical consideration is needed

because the copyright of design is owned by the company. I will use the design as my sample.

Timetable

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MONTH WEEK ACTIVITY RESULT
MARCH 1 Collecting data in Linoleum store Soft copy of pictures
2 Collecting data in Riotic store Soft copy of pictures
3 Processing data Hard copy of pictures
4 Sorting the data Sorted data
APRIL 1 Analyze the data First draft analysis
2 Revising the analysis Revised analysis
3 Recheck the analysis More complete analysis
4 Consulting with supervisor Revision
MAY 1 Write the analysis of Linoleum Analysis

products
2 Write the analysis of Riotic products Analysis
3 Revising Better analysis
4 Consulting with supervisor Revised analysis
JUNE 1 Revising the analysis More complete analysis
2 Add more data More complete data
3 Analyzing Analysis
4 Analyzing and consulting Better analysis
JULY 1 Revising Revised final project
2 Finishing final project

Budget

DETAILS PRICE PER UNIT QUANTITY TOTAL

Paper/rim @ rim Rp 40.000 3 rims Rp 120.000

Print @ page Rp 300 1000 pages Rp 300.000

Binding @ book Rp 20.000 3 books Rp 60.000

Internet rental @ hour Rp 4.000 20 hours Rp 80.000

Photo copying @ page 150 100 pages Rp 15.000

Transportation for collecting data @trip Rp 20.000 6 trips Rp 120.000

Total Rp 695.000

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