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Memes as multimodal ensemble

  • Mitul Joseph Koickakudy ORCID logo EMAIL logo and Meljo Thomas Karakunnel ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: November 21, 2023

Abstract

Memes have now become a common medium of communication. There are multiple ways memes are considered in academia. Semiotics offers information on how the media and modes that memes consist of can be interpreted and how the characteristics of semiotic resources apply to memes. Drawing from a pool of memes collected during the Kerala assembly election in 2021, this research argues that certain memes need to be categorised as multimodal ensemble. Different modalities play different roles meaning construction, and they also collaborate with each other for a uniform purpose. By comparing existing memes defined in academia and multiple methodologies to analyse memes, the paper puts forth a framework to analyse memes.


Corresponding author: Mitul Joseph Koickakudy, Media Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Hosur Main Road, Bhavani Nagar, S.G. Palya, 560029, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, E-mail:

Acknowledgment

Acknowledging Dr Pradeep Thomas JA for the support rendered during the initial stage of this study. We would also like to acknowledge Centre for Academic and Professional support for the support extended.

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Received: 2023-02-12
Accepted: 2023-09-26
Published Online: 2023-11-21

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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