Semiotics is the study of signs and what they imply, for instance; a man is driving on a road. and see’s this sign.
This sign is incredibly vague. However, what it implies is that there are deer near by and the road may have deer running across it. And this ‘implying’ method is used in many ways in media, marketing more specifically.
Now as you can see, on this sign it has a picture and writing, why? Because an image is universal. everyone can recognize an image. but not everyone can understand language. and further more, not everyone will have time to read a sign in time, before something happens that the sign was meant to prevent.
This sign clearly shows that 40mph is the limit at what ever road this sign is present at. Its not complicated, just the number. You cant really read a paragraph of writing whilst driving can you?