Charles Sanders Peirce's Semiotic Analysis of the Meaning of the Whistle in the Indonesian Navy's Communication System

Abstract

The use of whistles as a nonverbal communication medium remains an important traditional practice within the command system of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), despite the rapid development of modern communication technologies. However, academic studies that specifically analyze the meaning of whistle signals in military communication from a semiotic perspective remain limited. This study aims to examine the meaning and function of whistle sounds in the Indonesian Navy using the semiotic framework of Charles Sanders Peirce. This research employed a qualitative design. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with active and retired naval personnel, and documentation analysis of official communication procedures. The analysis applied Peirce’s triadic semiotic model consisting of representamen, object, and interpretant, along with the classification of signs into icons, indices, and symbols. The findings show that whistle sounds function as a structured symbolic communication system understood through military training and organizational conventions. Variations in rhythm, duration, and intensity convey specific commands such as assembly orders, military salutes, and emergency signals. These signals also represent institutional values including discipline, hierarchy, and naval identity. The study highlights the continued relevance of traditional communication symbols within modern military communication systems.