The Traffic Signals of Railways in Medan: A Semiotic Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to find out the semiotic sign in the Traffic Signals of Railways in Medan and describe the semiotical meaning of the Traffic Signals of Railways in Medan. Charles Sanders Peirce Theory was applied in this study. A descriptive qualitative research was applied to analyze the data. Source of data would be a sign and symbols that took around the traffic signals of railways in Medan, Sumatera Utara. then researcher do the deep interview directly with the staff of the company of PT. Kereta Api Indonesia. The result of the study, there were : 1.Sign, they are Legisign (5 signs : a.The Sign of Speed Limit, b.The Main Signal, c. Sign of Symbol 35, d.The Speed Limiting Sign, e. Derivative Supposition Facing Climbs). Qualisign (6 signs : a. The Sliver Motion Stop Limit, b.Pass Signal, c.Sliver Movement Limit sign, d. Two Leaning up Sign, e.Face Signal, f.End Path Sign). Sinsign (0 sign). Then Element 2.Object, They are Icon (0 Sign), Index (1 Sign : Unfixed Speed Limit Signal). Symbol (2 Sign : Train Departure Signal, Radio Channel Move Sign). and also Element Interpretant, They are Rheme (2 signs : The Speed Limiter Ending Sign, The Speed Limiter End Mark), Decisign (2 signs : Sign of Entry Signal Indication, Sign Careful Walking Cues), Argument (0 sign). 2. The another result, There were three kinds of semiotic from use of semiotic in Railways as the sign: (a) Sign is a type of outer sign of a sign that only humans can see but whose meaning is unknown. (b) object is something that exists of a person or group of people (c) interpretant is a person's interpretation based on the object it sees fit with the fact that links between representament and object. The signs were found in the railways are Sign, Object and Interpretant to show the signals as safety to run for railways by signals to be displayed. For all machinists, train officers and passengers who will arrive or depart. And also the people around the train.