A Comparative Semiotic Analysis: Transformation of Female Fans in Turkish Football ‘From Social Activity to Football Fan Identity’

Year 2018, Volume: 7 Issue: 4, 0 - 0, 01.10.2018

A. Dever

Abstract

The main aim of semiotic analysis is to reveal the reality behind what is seen. It is, therefore, more important to read what is signified than what is seen, especially in visual (such as pictures, photographs) objects. Based on Roland Barthes’ concepts of sign, signifier and signified, this study aims to reveal the transformation of especially female fans in the history of sports. Photographs of female fans in the Republic of Turkey in the 1930s were compared with those of today | s female fans and analyzed using semiotic analysis. A table consisting of the sign, signifier and signified was plotted for each photograph, which was then analyzed individually. The most notable feature of the photographs from the 1930s is that female fans wore elegant clothes to football games. It is also notable that their movements were restricted and that they were watching the games falteringly and passively, indicating that they acted as if they were attending a social event rather than a football game. On the other hand, the photographs of today | s female fans show that they are more active and confident in football events and that they socially identify as football fans.

Keywords

Female Football Fans, Semiotics, Roland Barthes, Turkey