A SEMIOTICS ANALYSIS IN MEME 'TROLL FOOTBALL'.

A SEMIOTICS ANALYSIS IN MEME TROLL FOOTBALL

A THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree
of English Department Faculty of Arts and Humanities State Islamic
University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya

By:
Wahyu Purba Laksono
Reg. Number: A93212191

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL
SURABAYA
2016

ABSTRACT
Laksono, Wahyu Purba. 2016. A Semiotics Analysis in Meme ‘Troll Football’.
English Department, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, State Islamic

University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
The Advisor: Muhammad Thoriqussu’ud. M.pd.

This thesis discussed Signifier & Signified and Denotation Connotation in
meme Troll Football. In this thesis, the writer proposed two research problems as
follow: (1) What is the description of signifier and signified in meme Troll
Football post? (2) What is denotative meaning and connotative meaning of each
memes on Troll Football post?. This thesis explored the meaning of some phrases
and sentences that appeared in meme Troll Football posted in trollfootball.me.
The writer used descriptive-qualitative method during doing this research.
This method was started from collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data. The
data of this research were some meme Troll Football post and some books to
support the analysis process which was done by the writer. The writer used
qualitative approach because the procedure of the research which produced
descriptive data in the form of written texts or people spoken and the behavior
which could be analyzed for the data collected are in the form of words. The
procedure of data collection were collecting data related on phrases or sentences
in meme Troll Football.
In meme Troll Football post based on this research, it could be divided
into the Signifier and Signified. The Signifier and Signified of meme Troll

Football could be verbal text and the visual. The verbal text was the text which
appeared on the picture could be a word, clause, phrase, & sentence and the visual
was all the post from the background until the written text on the post. In this
research, the writer found the denotative and connotative meaning in Troll
Football post.
Key words : Semiotics, Meme, Troll Football

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ABSTRAK
Laksono, Wahyu Purba.2016. A Semiotics Analysis in Meme ‘Troll Football’.
Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora, Universitas Islam Negeri
Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Pembimbing: Muhammad Thoriqussu’ud. M.pd.

Skripsi ini mendiskusikan tentang Pertan & Penanda serta Denotasi &
Konotasi pada meme Troll Football. Dalam skripsi ini, penulis mempunyai dua
rumusan masalah, yaitu: (1) Apa deskripsi Pertandan dan Penanda pada postingan

meme Troll Football? (2) Apa makna denotasi dan konotasi di setiap postingan
meme Troll Football? Skripsi ini mendalami makna dari beberapa frasa dan
kalimat yang muncul pada postingan meme Troll Football yang ditampilkan di
trollfootball.me.
Peneliti menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif selama melakukan
penelitian ini. Metode ini dimulai dari mengumpulkan data, menganalisa data dan
menginterpretasikan data. Data dari penelitian ini berupa meme yang di posting
Troll Football dan beberapa buku penunjang untuk mendukung proses analisa
yang dilakukan peneliti. Penulis menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif karena
prosedur dari penelitian yang menghasilkan data deskriptif dalam bentuk teks tulis
atau pembicaraan orang lain dan kebiasaan yang bisa dianalisa untuk
pengumpulan data adalah dalam bentuk kata-kata. Prosedur dalam mengoleksi
data adalah mengoleksi data yang berhubungan dengan frasa atau kalimat yang
ada di meme Troll Footbal.
Postingan meme Troll Football dalam penelitian ini dapat dibagi menjadi
dua yakni penanda dan pertanda. Penanda dan pertanda yang terkandung di dalam
meme Troll Football bisa berupa kalimat verbal dan juga visual. Kalimat verbal
berupa teks yang muncul di dalam gambar berupa kata, kalusa, frasa dan kalimat.
Sedangkan visualnya berupa semua postingan mulai dari latar belakang sampai
teks dalam gambar. Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti juga menemukan makna

denotasi dan konotasi yang terkandung dalam meme Troll Football.
Kata kunci: Semiotika, Meme, Troll Football

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Table of Contents
Inside Cover Page ................................................................................................ i
Inside Tittle Page ................................................................................................. ii
Motto .................................................................................................................... iii
Declaration Page.................................................................................................. iv
Dedication Page .................................................................................................. v
Thesis Advisor’s Approval Page ....................................................................... vi
Thesis Examiner’s Approval Page .................................................................... vii
Acknowledgment ................................................................................................ viii
Table of Contents ............................................................................................... x
Abstract ............................................................................................................... xii
Abstrak ................................................................................................................ xiii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study .................................................................................. 1
B. Research Problem ....................................................................................... 6
C. Objectives of the Research .......................................................................... 6
D. Significance of the Study ............................................................................ 7
E. Scope and Limitation ................................................................................. 8
F. Definition of Key Terms ............................................................................. 10

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Theoritical Bases ............................................................................................ 11
1. Semiotics .................................................................................................. 11
a. Sign ....................................................................................................... 12
1) Ferdinand de Saussure’s Theory ................................................... 12
 Signifier and Signified .............................................................. 13
2) Roland Barthes’s Theory ................................................................ 14
 Denotation and Connotation ..................................................... 15
B. Review of Previous Study .............................................................................. 16
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CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY
A. Research Design ............................................................................................ 21
B. Technique of Data Collection ....................................................................... 22
1. Instrument ............................................................................................... 22
2. Data

.................................................................................................... 22

3. Data Source ............................................................................................. 22
4. Data Collection ....................................................................................... 23
C. Data Analysis ................................................................................................ 26
1. Data Reduction ........................................................................................ 26
2. Display Data ............................................................................................ 27
3. Verification ............................................................................................. 28

CHAPTER IV: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
A. Findings ......................................................................................................... 29
B. Discussion ..................................................................................................... 58

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 61
B. Suggestion ...................................................................................................... 61

REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 63

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

In this part, the writer introduces the present study. It describes
background of the study, research problems, research purposes, significance of the
study, scope and limitations, definition of key terms and theoretical framework in
the part of introduction.
A. Background of Study
The improvement of community needs in various fields, especially in
telecommunications, information, and entertainment is increasing, it causes

the interconnectedness and interdependence of human in this globalization
era. One of the most striking needs is improvement the information needs.
Nowadays, the rapid development of science is followed by the
information technology development. Through information technology,
someone can get the information fast and easy. One of the technology
products which can be used as the finding information is internet. Schonherr
(1998: 712) states that internet with its sets as like a big library which can be
accessed by everyone. But, for searching this virtual library effectively is not
easy. There will be other interested offer so you cannot focus on what you are
trying to find about.

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According to Sulistyo-Basuki (1991: 87), information technology is
technology which utilizes information, saves, produces, operates, and shares
the information. In 20th century was imagined as the first mass media. In this

time, you can also find the changing of awe and fear which is influenced by
mass media. Although there is big change in the society after emerging the
information technology but it looks like there is no any change. Moreover,
people cannot leave their new behavior in operating the internet to get some
information.
Website is a collection of components which consists of text, picture,
sound animation that gives interesting information to be visited (Pipiapioh:
2010). Website is information page which is provided via internet. According
to Nichols (1996), website bridges its users to give many kinds of
information. The contents of website can be text, picture, sound and video
that can be accessed by anyone who have computer and internet access,
without being tied a time and place.
The presence of website becomes one of the answers for information
needs and it can be a place to increase users’ creativity. One of the creativity
is creating meme. Meme (/ˈmiːm/) is a new phenomenon in the virtual world
and becomes one of the most popular forms of humor on the internet. The
word meme comes from Greek mimesis which means imitate or mimicry
(Dawkins, 1976: 192). Meme is used to describe a concept which spreads via
internet, although meme’s real meaning focuses on a concept or category
about culture information widely. So, in a short explanation meme internet is

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meme which spreads in internet via social media, blog, e-mail, and so on. In
the real world, meme is called “idea”, but most people call it as meme
(Richard Face, 2012: 4-5).
Mimicry in meme can be seen from the people’s tendency to share
meme ideas or making something similar. An idea which is contained in a
meme can be activity, incident, or interesting information. This interesting
property can make the idea spread easily in the virtual world and make meme
become popular.
Meme is created by replication and modification process from
photographic imageries which have been available in Google search engine.
The creators usually just add the finding picture with the text, or do editing
the picture by using digital imaging process. The editing process depends on
what information is going to be delivered. After the creating process done,
meme is going to be shared via media share, retweet, or repost service in
social media.

This research focuses on meaning that is contained in meme.
Semiotics is defined as a science of significance, obtained by two people, a
Swiss linguist, Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) and an American
philosopher of pragmatism, Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914) (Vera, 2015:
3). Saussure and Peirce develop Semiotics in the same period but they do not
know each other. Saussure usually calls his study as Semiology and Peirce
calls Semiotics. According to Zoest (1993: 1) semiotics is a branch of science

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dealing with the study of signs and everything connected with the sign, such
as sign systems and processes that apply to use of sign. Semiotics itself comes
from Greek semeion, means sign. Semiotics is a study of signs. It can replace
something else that can be thought or imagined. This branch of science
originally developed in the field of language, and then develops in the field of
art and visual communication design (Tinarbuko, 2008: 16).
Meme which combine between pictures and words also has signifier
and signified which produce a denotative and connotative meaning.
Denotation is when you mean what you say literally. Connotation is created
when you mean something else, something that might be initially hidden.
Meme itself can be video, picture, or text display. Text display meme usually
consists of text which is supported by macro picture so that both picture and
text display can support each other.
There are so many kinds of meme. But, here the writer just wants to
focus on Troll Football. Based on its name, it talks about football. The word
troll here means uttering the satire word. Football is a sport played by two
teams each teams consist of eleven players. Each team tries to score as many
as possible into the opponent's goal and tries to defend their goal in order to
make the opponent cannot score a goal (Sarumpaet, 1992: 5).
According to Susetyo (2013: 7) football is one of the most popular
sports in the world. Football is believed as a universal language which can

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unite several of ethnic groups on earth. All people can play this game, from
just a hobby until to be used as a career to earn money.
Natakusumah (2009: 3) states that at the first time modern football is
initiated and disseminated by Englishman into the whole world, nobody
probably thought someday football is going to be a mighty power which
influences many life aspects in this world. Football is not just a game, but the
effect of that game have penetrated other aspects such as social, religion,
information technology, entertainment, politic, and economy.
The writer chooses this meme to be analyzed in this research because
of some factors. (1) Meme Troll Football is the most popular meme used to
satirize fans for bad result in the game play or express the happy feeling of
each football fans. People usually use it by changing the display picture on
Blackberry Messenger. (2) It has specific theme then other memes, its theme
is about football. Meme Troll Football is created by the true story that happen
in the football. This meme talks about football play and something related
with football players, stuffs, and fans.
As the other writers have done in doing the research, having been
aware of the previous studies is really important to get more qualified in the
research. Indriani Triandjojo (2008) SEMIOTIKA IKLAN MOBIL DI MEDIA
CETAK

INDONESIA,

Siti

Sopianah

(2010)

ANALISIS

SEMIOTIK

TERHADAP IKLAN SUSU BENDARA EDISI RAMADHAN 1430 H DI
TELEVISI and Rosa Redia Pusanti (2015) about REPRESENTASI KRITIK

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DALAM ‘MEME’ POLITIK (Studi Semiotika ‘Meme’ Politik dalam Masa
Pemilu 2014 pada Jejaring Sosial ‘Path’ sebagai Media Kritik di Era Siber).
But, this research has some differences with those preview studies. It can be
seen from data source that is used in this research, meme Troll Football.
Base on those cases, the writer sees that the signs contained in Troll
Football need to be observed and analyzed by using the appropriate tools,
namely semiotics. This study deals with written and visual sign that shows in
meme Troll Football. So, to elaborate and answer the statement problems, the
writer uses Roland Barthes’ theory.
B. Research Problems
Based on background above, this study is conducted to answer the
following questions:
1. What is the description of signifier and signified in meme Troll Football
post?
2. What is denotative meaning and connotative meaning of each memes on
Troll Football post?
C. Objectives of the Research
In relation to the research problems is attempting to answer those
problems, the research purposes can be seen as below:

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1. To describe which part is signifier and which part is signified in meme
Troll Football.
2. To describe the denotative and connotative meaning of each memes on
Troll Football post.
D. Significance of the Study
The significance of the study is the writer specially divides into two
significances; they are theoretically and practically.
1. Theoretically
This research gives some additional information to the reader,
especially people who are interested in meme about semiotics in Troll
Football post, and able to understand its hidden meaning on each post. It
gives idea that understanding meme is easy and able to make relax after
knowing each content. The writer hopes this research can be useful for
English Department students as a reference in analyzing meme or
semiotics.
2. Practically
The further research has benefit in several areas. This research
practically has benefit to know denotative and connotative meaning on
Troll Football post. People who observe it can see that there is something
behind text and picture in meme Troll Football. This research shows

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people that semiotics not only can be used to analyze advertisement, but
also meme.
The writer wish this research could give the encouragement
addition for everyone who is interested in this study and it also can be the
alternative reference or the supporting complement of the research that has
been done.
E. Scope and Limitation
Regarding to the statement in research problem, the writer focuses on
denotative and connotative meaning in meme Troll Football by Roland
Barthes’ theory.
Denotative meaning covers appointed things by words or explicit
relation between sign and reality. For example there is picture of human,
animal, tree or house which colored red, yellow, blue and white. On
denotative stage just mention the data information (Piliang in Tinarbuko,
2008).
Whereas the connotative meaning covers aspect of color, which
correlates feeling and emotion along with cultural values and point of view in
a community group, for example: smiling face icon can be interpreted as a
happy condition or insulting expression. For understanding connotative
meaning, people have to understand other elements which support the data
(Piliang in Tinarbuko, 2008).

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For example:

Taken from: trollfootball.me

 Denotative meaning
A picture which consists of United Kingdom’s flag which is put
Arsene Wenger’s photo in the center and it is supported by the written
text SOCCER? DON’T YOU MEAN FOOTBALL?
 Connotative meaning
The written text in meme above is talking about naming in one
sport. The key words of the written text are soccer and Football. Both
words actually refer to the same sport, but it has a different style–
American and British style. In British uses football, so that’s why in the
background of the meme use UK’s flag and America uses soccer because
in America, they have their own sports namely Football America which
is totally different with football in British or Europe.

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Arsene Wenger’s photo in the center of meme means insulting
expression. Arsene Wenger is Arsenal coach which often brings Arsenal
finished in 4th position in table classmen. Arsenal finish in 4th position
seven times since 1993 and six times was brought by Arsene Wenger. So
that’s why Arsenal often associated with number 4.
This post is talking about meme Troll Football fans page on
Facebook has got four million likes.
In the other hand, the writer limits this study only on August 2015 to
June 2016 football game play which is posted in Troll Football’s website on
trollfootball.me. The writer gets 8.950 post during 335 days which accessed
in Troll Football’s website among doing the research. From those data, the
writer divides some aspects as like social, religion, information technology,
entertainment, politic, and economy aspect.
F. Definition of Key Terms
1. Meme is an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature
that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users, often with slight
variations.
2. Troll Football is a collection of football-themed meme site which talks
about satire in football.
3. Semiotics is the study of sign which talk about signifier and signified in
verbal or written communication.

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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In this part includes the discussion of some theories and the review of
previous study. Related theories which have links with this analysis are semiotics,
connotative and denotative. The main data in this analysis is the meme Troll
Football which is got from the internet.
A. Theoretical Bases
1. Semiotics
This research focuses on signs or symbols that are used in meme
Troll Football. The study of signs is called semiotics. According to Berger,
semiotics has two important figures; they are Ferdinand de Saussure
(1857-1913) and Charles Sander Peirce (1839-1914). Both of them
develop semiotics separately with the different scientific backgrounds,
Saussure as a linguist and Peirce as a philosopher. Saussure calls his
science development Semiology (Tinarbuko, 2008: 11). Saussure
illustrates that a sign consist of signifier and signified. Those two elements
as like two sides of a coin that cannot be separated.
Semiotics observes all aspects in a culture as a sign for example
language, body language, behavior, hair style, and so on. Sign which are
used to convey human mind, information, and command along with

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appraisal, make us possible to explore the perception and comprehension
each other in this world.
Semiotics helps us to know and understand how to make
communication. It also helps to explain the habits and rules in all elements
in our communications environment. Spoken or written language, pictures,
movies are the things that have many variations to be explained.
a. Sign
The definition of sign is something conventionally that can
replace or represent something else. According to Saussure, signs have
entities those are signifier and signified. An utterance only applies a
sign if it consists of signifier and signified. While the relationship
between signifier and signified is arbiter.
Sign is the representation of phenomenon that has a number of
criteria such as: naming, role, function, purpose, whish. Sign is able in
every human life (Budianto, 2001: 16).
Sign is everywhere. It can be word, body language, traffic light,
flag, and so on. Everything can be sign, so without sign we cannot
make communication each other (van Zoest, 1996: vii).
Sign actually a representation from indication that has some
criteria such as: naming, function, purpose, hope. Sign is in every
human live and it has meaningful action like the actualization on
language, religion, knowledge (Budianto, 2001: 16).
1)

Ferdinand de Saussure’s Theory

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Ferdinand de Saussure was regarded as figures of modern
structural linguistics. Saussure emphasis on the arbitrary nature of
the sign is defined as sound-image and concept. Saussure divides
sign to be sound-image and concept because he wants to give the
emphasis that linguistic sign does not unite a thing with a name but
a concept with sound-image (Saussure, 1916: 98).

We can

understand his idea that linguistic sign does not unite a thing with a
name because some words produce easy meaning to be concept as
like; tree, car, or chair. But if those words have philosophy or
mystery meaning, it is not easy to concept. We may also have easy
words to concept but it does not create the same perception in other
people. For example, no one can guarantee that the word ‘car’
create the same perception on the readers. From this case, Saussure
defines sign as something which is created from someone concept
which relates with sound-image of the something’s name. In
written language, a sign consists of a concept and a printed word.
Saussure divides sign into 3 kinds, those are sign, signifier, and
signified.
 Signifier and Signified
Sign is a basic language which is arranged from two
things cannot be separated, sound-image as a signifier and
concept as a signified. Signifier is sensory material aspect and it
can be perceived by the senses. In verbal language, this signifier

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is realized in sound-image which relates with a concept or
signified. While signified is material aspect from sign that can
be called as concept.
This signified is a mental representation form sign and it
is not something referred by sign. So, signified is not the object
but it is mental representation of object. Saussure states signified
mental nature as a concept.
For example:
1. Textual Sign
Letters ‘c-a-r’
Signifier

Category ‘car’
Signified
Written text ‘car’
Sign

2. Visual Sign

Sign

: Car’s picture

Signifier : Car’s shape
Signified : Car’s category
2) Roland Barthes’ Theory

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Roland Barthes is Saussure’s successor in developing
semiotics theory. Saussure interests on the sentence formation
complex way and choose the meaning, but less interested in the fact
that the same sentence can have the different meaning on different
person’s interpretation.
There are various levels of signs in semiotics, which allows
producing stratified meanings. Barthes (in Piliang, 2004: 94)
explains there are two levels in signs, those are denotation and
connotation.
a) Denotation
Denotation is sign level which explains the relationship
between signifier and signified that has explicit meaning.
Denotation is the most conventional sign in a society because
its relationship is on the reality or having meaning based on the
dictionary.
b) Connotation
Connotation

is

sign

level

which

explains

the

relationship between signifier and signified that does not have
explicit meaning. Its meaning is not available on the dictionary
list or having literary meaning.
For example:

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We see that there is a yellow flag is set in the corner of the
street.
 Denotation
A yellow flag set in the corner of the street.
 Connotation
It means that someone is passed away around that area.
B. Review of Previous Studies
Before submitting this thesis, there are some writers talk about
semiotics, they are:
1. Indriani Triandjojo (2008) SEMIOTIKA IKLAN MOBIL DI MEDIA
CETAK INDONESIA. Universitas Diponegoro: Semarang
The purpose of this research is to analyze the signs, figurative
language or rhetoric, and power relation which is constructed in print
media advertisement. Visual and verbal signs are the intensive things to be
used in advertisement so the writer analyzes the advertisements in Suara
Merdeka’s daily to explain that we can use Semiotics approach to analyze
signs usage, figurative language or rhetoric, and power relation, so that we
can analyze and get its meaning.
Semiotics is used by the writer to analyze 59 car advertisements to
utter verbal and visual sign in car advertisement, how the signs are used to
communication, to persuade or make sure the reader.

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The problems which are stated in this research are: (1) How is the
description signifier and signified. And is there any relation between
signifier and signified; the relation between form or expression the
advertisement and contained meaning in car advertisement posted in print
media. (2) How is denotation and connotation in car advertisement? (3)
What are the contents of icon, index, and symbol in car advertisement
which is presented by the manufacturer? (4) Where is the manufacturer
promoting the product to the consumer? (5) Which rhetoric is used in car
advertisement in print media?
In this research, the writer uses descriptive qualitative method
because this research is meant to give depiction about signs, power
relation and rhetoric language which is contained in Indonesian car
advertisement in print media. In conducting this research, the writer does
collecting, sorting, and categorizing the data. Then, the data is analyzed by
using Semiotics theory. Finally, the writer presents the result.
The result of this research shows many kinds of signs, figurative
language, and power relation in car advertisement. This research shows
kinds of signs which cover signifier-signified, denotation-connotation, and
icon, index and symbol. Besides showing the signs, this research also
shows 88 figurative languages; those are 20 rhymes, 5 alliterations, 12
anaphors, 1 epistrophe, 1 anadiposis, 2 parisons, 3 antithesis, 18
hyperboles, 7 rhetoric questions, 5 metonymies, 7 metaphors, 3
homonyms, 1 atanaklasis, 1 paradox, and 3 ironies and 84 power relations

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consist of 28 reward powers, 7 expert powers, 10 legitimate powers, 10
referent powers, and 29 coercive powers.
2. Siti Sopianah (2010). ANALISIS SEMIOTIK TERHADAP IKLAN SUSU
BENDARA EDISI RAMADHAN 1430 H DI TELEVISI. Universitas Islam
Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah: Jakarta
This research starts from the writer’s interest about advertisement
which is aired on television especially Susu Bendera advertisement
Ramadan edition. The creativity of advertising media in conveying the
message and product is a packet which has purpose to celebrate Ramadan
month and marketing their product.
The problems which are stated in this research are: (1) What is
denotative-connotative meaning and myth in Susu Bendera advertising
Ramadan edition on television seen by Roland Barthes’ perspective? (2)
What is the message contained in Susu Bendera advertising Ramadan 1430
H on television?
This research uses qualitative approach. This research uses
semiotics theory to analyze Susu Bendera advertising on television.
Semiotics analysis is a way or method to analyze and give meanings on the
signs which is contained on one packet of message symbols or text. Data
source of this research is the data which is got from recording the Susu
Bendera advertising Ramadan edition on television.

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From the problems which is stated above, this research gets the
result that Susu Bendera advertising Ramadan themed saling menguatkan
saat puasa which is meant by the writer that drinking a glass of Susu
Bendera milk can make Indonesian family fasting strongly as like imaged
by the model in this advertisement. This research also answers about myth
that is crying, taking the air, and breaking wind in the water actually do not
cancel the fasting.
3. Rosa Redia Pusanti. 2015. REPRESENTASI KRITIK DALAM ‘MEME’
POLITIK (Studi Semiotika ‘Meme’ Politik dalam Masa Pemilu 2014 pada
Jejaring Sosial ‘Path’ sebagai Media Kritik di Era Siber). Universitas
Sebelas Maret: Surakarta
This research analyzed meme in social media during the general
election in 2014. This research focused on semiotics in political internet
meme to criticize the ruling party, politician, political campaigns, and
other political events through a humorous message, meme.
The research approach in this research was using qualitative
method. The research used qualitative approach having the purpose to
explain the phenomena deeply through collecting the data as deep as
possible.
This research investigates the signs which can convey the critics in
a political meme form. This research takes political meme which consist of
eight corpuses concerned corruption of political parties, the props

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campaign, mass media, and candidate president-vice president as the
object of the research. This research uses semiotics Charles Sanders
Peirce’s model analysis. Peirce has three levels analysis, those are textual
analysis, textual interpretation, and intertextual. This research also
observes political meme which spreads in social media Path.
This research had conclusion that icons and symbols in political
meme has the potential to accurately deliver the messages through visual
form. This research saw that meme had become an important vehicle in
expressing political view and could be understood that nowadays had
appeared wave of interest toward social media user because mass media
was considered supporting one side at present.

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CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD

In this part, the writer introduces the research method. It describes Research
Approach, Data, Data Sources, Instruments, Data Collection, Data Analysis, and
Research Time Frame.
A. Research Design
In this research, the writer uses descriptive-qualitative method. This
research has purpose to give explanation that there is sign consist of signifier
and signified, denotation and connotation in meme Troll Football.
Descriptive method is the method which is used to find the elements,
criterions, and the characteristics of phenomenon (Suryana, 2010: 16). This
method is started from collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data. The
implementation of descriptive method is done by: survey technique, case
study, comparative study, time and motion study, behavior analysis, and
documentary analysis.
Research approach of this research is qualitative research. Bogdan and
Taylor (in Moleong, 2007: 4) defines that qualitative method as the procedure
of the research which produces descriptive data in the form of written texts or
people spoken and the behavior which can be analyzed for. A research about
meme Troll Football which do not use quantity statistics is a qualitative
research. Arikunto (1998: 193) states that this qualitative research tries to

21
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explain the data using words or sentence which is separated into some
categorizes to get the conclusion.
B. Technique of Data Collection
1. Instrument
Instrument of the research is the tool which is used to collect the
data of the research. The instrument of this research is the writer. Johnson
and Christensen (2004: 33) state that in qualitative research, the writer is
the instrument of data collection. It means that the writer is involved
collecting, analyzing, and describing the data.
2. Data
This research is documentation analysis which consists of the text.
Therefore, the present research, the data is all of the utterances (words,
phrase, sentence, or expression) which contain of Semiotics. It is taken
from primary data source.
3. Data Source
The data source is divided into two categories; primary data and
secondary data.
a. Primary Data
According to Sugiyono (2012: 225), the primary data is data
source which is got by the writer directly. This primary source can be

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23

interview result which is done by the writer. Besides that, the writer
does a field observation and collects the data in a form of note about
situation and case around the object of the research.
The primary data is all content of meme Troll Football which
consists of written text and visual effect.
b. Secondary Data
Secondary data is the data source which does not give
information directly to the writer. Secondary data source can be further
processing results from primary data which is presented in other form
(Sugiyono, 2012:225). This data is used to support the information of
primary data which is got by doing interview or direct field observation.
The secondary data can be books, other research, journals and some
references that can support analyzing process.
4. Data Collection
There are a lot of ways to collect the data; those are using test,
doing interview, doing observation, doing a graduated scale and taking
documentation (Arikunto in Triandjojo, 2008: 59). In this research, the
writer uses data which is taken from Troll Football post. Therefore, the
chosen method is documentation method. Documentation method is a
method that is used to find some notes, transcripts, books, newspapers,
magazines, and other.

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Data collection in this research uses taking note and doing
observation technique. Taking note is done by noting words, sentence, and
images which shows on meme Troll Football post on August 2015 to July
2016 that have sign and denotative-connotative meaning.
To collect the data from the data sources, the writer has the steps as
follows.
a. The writer accesses on Troll Football’s website on TrollFootball.me to
choose meme to be analyzed.

b. After accessing the website, the writer clicks the word image so that the
website

address

changes

from

trollfootball.me

to

be

trollfootball.me/images.

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25

c. After clicking the word image and the website link change, the writer
clicks

the

word

latest

until

the

link

changes

to

be

trollfootball.me/image/latest. The writers choose it to find the newest
meme which is posted on the website.

d. The writer chooses meme Troll Football posted on August 2015 to July
2016. In that season, the writer chooses the data base on social, religion,
information technology, entertainment, politic, and economy. Then, the
writer documents the written text containing on meme from Troll

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26

Football website by doing the screen capture and backup the meme
Troll Football into print out media.
C. Data Analysis
After collecting the data, all data collected are examined by the writer.
Data analysis uses descriptive-qualitative describing all data collected during
analysis process. Miles and Huberman in Sugiyono (2012: 246) gives
explanation that in analyzing qualitative data the writer can be through some
steps; data reduction, display data, and verification.
1. Data Reduction
Reducing means summarizing, the writer chooses the key point
then finding its theme and pattern (Sugiyono, 2012: 247). In this step, the
writer sorting which information is relevant and which information is not
relevant with the research. The writer identifies the written text in meme
Troll Football post as the data which indicates in the research problems.
After collecting data is done by the writer, the writer reduces some
data from 8.950 post to some categories to make easy in analyzing process.
The writer divides into seven categories; those are social, religion,
information technology, entertainment, politic, and economy. After
dividing categories, the writer creates table to be fulfilled according to its
category.
Category

Meme

Social

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Religion
Information technology
Entertainment
Politic
Economy
2. Display Data
After doing data reduction, the next step is display data. Data
which is presented in table and some explanations. This data is arranged to
give verification and taking action. As for the commonly form used in
previous qualitative data is in the form of narrative text.

Taken from: trollfootball.me

 Denotative meaning
A picture which consists of United Kingdom’s flag which is
put Arsene Wenger’s photo in the center and it is supported by the
written text SOCCER? DON’T YOU MEAN FOOTBALL?

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 Connotative meaning
The written text in meme above is talking about naming in one
sport. The key words of the written text are soccer and Football. Both
words actually refer to the same sport, but it has a different style–
American and British style. In British uses football, so that’s why in
the background of the meme use UK’s flag and America uses soccer
because in America, they have their own sports namely Football
America which is totally different with football in British or Europe.
Arsene Wenger’s photo in the center of meme means insulting
expression. Arsene Wenger is Arsenal coach which often brings
Arsenal finished in 4th position in table classmen. Arsenal finish in 4th
position seven times since 1993 and six times was brought by Arsene
Wenger. So that’s why Arsenal often associated with number 4.
This post is talking about meme Troll Football fans page on
Facebook has got four million likes.
3. Verification
The final step of data processing is verification. After presenting
data which becomes object of the research, verification is done to look
back the data reduction or display data so the conclusion which is taken is
still on the track.

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CHAPTER IV
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

In this chapter, the writer deals with of the semiotics in meme Troll
Football. By concerning to it, the writer is able to answer the research problems
which stated in chapter one of this study. This study focuses on signifier, signified
and denotative & connotative meaning in meme Troll Football meme post in its
website. All of them are discussed as the following bellow.
A. Findings
During doing this research, the writer found 8.950 posts which were
posted in Troll Football website (trollfootball.me) posted on August 2015 to
June 2016. The writer found that the content those post consist of: (a)
signifier and signified, (b) denotative and connotative meaning
DATUM 1

Taken from: trollfootbal.me
29

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Signifier and Signified
Signifier
PREMIER LEAGUE
PREMIER LEAGUE STARTING
XI OVER VALUES: WINNER
SINCE 2010/11
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
MANCHESTER UTD
MANCHESTER CITY
CHELSEA
LEICESTER
[£141M]
[£144M]
[£167M]
[£190M]
[£175M]
[£24M]
Some people who wear the
combination blue and white cloth
and there is a logo on the picture

Signified
A name of football league in
England
The eleven men champion of each
clubs since 2010/11

The list of the season competition
years

Some England clubs which become
the champion of the Premier
League competition

The price of the clubs spent in a
season competition to be the
champion

They are the Leicester fans

Through the help of signifier and signified theory from Ferdinand de
Saussure, the writer could conclude that the meaning of verbal and non verbal
sign in meme Troll Football above was given with text which was consist of
signifier and signified until eventually form a meaning to be shared to other
people about the cost that spent by the winner of Premier League in the last
six seasons, started from the winner in 2010/2011 to 2015/2016.
Denotation and Connotation

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31

 Denotation
This picture gave explanation about the winner clubs in Premier
League spent their money. It started from season 2010-2016. The 2010/11
season which was won by MANCHESTER UTD. Manchester United
spent £141M in a season for eleven men which play in the Premier League
competition. The following season was followed by MANCHESTER
CITY [£144M] in season 2011/12, MANCHESTER UTD [£167M] in
season 2012/13, MANCHESTER CITY [£190M] in season 2013/14,
CHELSEA [£175M] in season 2014/15, and LEICESTER [£24M] in
season 2015/16.
 Connotation
Other explanation in this picture was about critizing some winner
clubs. In this picture, the domminant clubs which became the winner in
every seasons were the clubs which were spending money over £100M,
except Liecester. It showed that trophy could not be bought by much
money, because Leicester could be the winner of the season in Premier
League only spent £24M or 87% cheaper than Manchaster City cost in
season 2013/14.
DATUM 2

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Taken from: trollfootball.com

Signifier and Signified
Signifier
PSG
CHELSEA
Batman and Robin on the picture
Logo on their costumes

Signified
Football club names
Two of the greatest super heros in
the movie
Chelsea and Paris-Saint-Germain
logo

Some things which have green and
Those are paper and coin money
yellow colored on the picture

Meme above looked like two super heroes character with a logo on the
costume of each super heroes. They were throwing the paper and coin money
everywhere. This picture showed as the focus of interest. Through the help of
signifier and signified theory from Ferdinand de Saussure, the writer could
conclude that the meaning of verbal and non verbal sign in meme Troll
Football above was given with text which was consist of signifier and
signified until eventually form a external reality. This meme could be
concluded what the purpose of this meme talking about. This meme wanted to

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33

show what other people watched and felt w