Abstract:

The aim of the study was to show the principles of nonverbal communication achieved with clothing by using Roman Jakobson’s linguistic method. As demonstrated and established here, clothes and their functions can be translated into verbal and written language. The language of fashion, costume and stage design can be analysed in terms of their function and symbolism. Based on the language function scheme, clothing can be interpreted as the language of communication and as a system. Using purely linguistic methods, examples of various clothing analyses demonstrate the clothing function as a visual sign system, which is equal to the linguistic sign system, language and communication. Different kinds of communication can be achieved through garments, as explained by the examples and discussion selected and described.