Pienkwan Aphirakpanitkul . A semiological analysis of public relations medium : the travel scene publications by the tourism Authority of Thailand . Master's Degree(Communicative English). Ramkhamnean University Library. : Ramkhamhaeng University, 2001.
A semiological analysis of public relations medium : the travel scene publications by the tourism Authority of Thailand
Abstract:
This study examines the communicative functions as well as the use of sign system in the Travel Scene monthly publications produced for the public relations purpose by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Twenty-four issues of the Travel Scene publications disseminated during the Amazing Thailand Year campaign (1998-1999) are selected as the case study.By applying a method of qualitative analysis and semiology known as the theory of sign, the study found three major communicative functions of the Travel Scene publications. Those communicative functions include the disseminating of Thailand's tourism information, the publicizing of the imageof Thailand, and the publicizing of the image of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.Moreover, it is found that each communicative function of the Travel Scene publication is fulfilled with all three influential types of sign: icon, index, and symbol. The three major types of sign work efficiently with the linguistic function of language for the fulfillment of each communicative function of the Travel Scene publications. The most significant linguistic function found in combination with those three types of sign is the informational function of language. The informational function of language is fundamentally part of a sign system's significant contribution to the fulfillment of each communicative function of the publications. All signs displayed in the Travel Scene publications perform the informational function of language. They aim primarily at keeping the public informed about Thailand's tourism information, Thailand's positive image, and Thai national identities, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand. More importantly, it is found that semiology is not applicable to the communication of specific Thai cultural aspects. Despite its not being a theory of the cross-cultural communication analysis, semiotics works well for the communication of the less culturally relevant aspects.