Language Varieties & Communication Notes PDF

# Language Varieties Language varieties, also called "lects", refer to the different variants of a language that can be sufficiently delimited from one another in terms of social, historical, or geo-spatial factors, thus forming language clusters. ## Pidgin It refers to a new language that develo...

# Language Varieties Language varieties, also called "lects", refer to the different variants of a language that can be sufficiently delimited from one another in terms of social, historical, or geo-spatial factors, thus forming language clusters. ## Pidgin It refers to a new language that develops into situations where speakers of different languages need to communicate but do not share a common language. ### Example: - Chavacano in the Philippines - Bislama, a language spoken in Vanuatu. ## Creole It is a pidgin that becomes the first language of the children, or the mother tongue of a certain community. ### Example: - Gullah and the Patwa, is a creole in Jamaica. ## Regional Dialect It is not a language that is not distinct from a national language, but rather a variety of a language spoken in a particular area of a country. ### Example: - Cebuano, Waray, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon in the Philippines. ## Minority Dialect This is a variety used as a marker of identity, usually alongside a standard variety, by the members of a particular minority ethnic group. ### Example: - Sinama of the Badjaos in the Philippines - The London-Jamaican variety in Britain. ## Indigenized Varieties These are spoken mainly as second languages in former colonies with multilingual populations. ### Example: - Singlish (or Singaporean English). # 4 Types of Approach ## Social Science Approach This includes those who analyze the "quantifiable variables" in culture, like the number of people, income levels, or education levels, when observing the effects of culture in communication. ## Interpretive Approach This takes into account how people interpret their experiences and interactions in communication rather than focusing solely on quantifiable factors. ## Dialect Approach A dialectical approach considers that any communication or cultural interaction is always about the complex interplay of multiple perspectives and factors. ## Critical Approach The critical approach considers the role of power and hierarchy in cultural interactions. # Cultural Barriers to Effective Communication ## Cultural Relativism A concept that other cultures are seen to have values and practices that are to be viewed as cultural artifacts and not to be harmful. ## Lack of knowledge of other's culture A lack of knowledge about a culture can lead to misunderstanding and ineffective communication. ## Discrimination and Harassment Discrimination and harassment often arise from stereotypes, which can cause individuals to be treated unfairly and unequally. ## Language Differences When communication occurs between people who have different languages, it can create barriers to effective understanding. # Communication and Technology ## Communication - Talking and listening to others - Sharing ideas and feelings - Using words, pictures, and actions important for making friends and learning. ## Technology Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life, or as it is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment. ## The rise of new media and technology aids in communication ## What is new media? **New media** - Special tools we use to talk and share includes computers, phones, and tablets. Helps us connect faster with people around the world and makes sharing pictures and videos easy. ## Popular social media - Sharing photos and updates - Short messages and news - Pretty pictures and videos - Talking about jobs ## Social media use Social media has changed the way the world operates. The number of users in some social media platforms is still increasing at exponential rates within a time span. Different social media platforms have their own unique functions that set social media platforms apart. Social media is a major manifestation of how quickly and drastically patterns of social behaviors change. ## The evolution of new media It encompasses websites, online radio, including websites, streaming services, podcasting sites, social media platforms, video sharing websites, and video-on-demand, to name a few. ## Old ways of talking - Face to Face - Writing Letters - Watching TV - Listening Radio ## New ways of talking - Using computers and phones - Sending messages on social media - Watching videos online ## Personal media Refers to the content that individuals create and share online to represent themselves and their interests. It encompasses a wide range of digital assets. ## Social media Social media includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc. Blogs and websites are also examples of social media. Digital assets include personal websites and more. ## Social media Refers to online platforms or tools that allow users to create, share and interact with content, information, and other users in a virtual environment. ## Examples of Social Media Platforms - Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Messenger, Snapchat, Telegram. # What is a Message? A message is a communication or statement conveyed from one person or group to another. # Four Main Qualities for an Effective Message 1. Simplicity 2. Specificity 3. Structure 4. Stickiness ## 1. Simplicity In order to ensure that our message has simplicity, we should ask two questions: 1. Is my purpose evident? 2. Is my core message in clear terms? ## 2. Specificity Refers to our choice of language and its clarity. 1. Is my language simple? 2. Is my language clear, rather than abstract? 3. Does the message avoid ambiguity? ## 3. Structure Ideas should be organized and easy to follow. 1. Does my message have structure? 2. Is there an effective way to arrange my ideas? ## 4. Stickiness Ideas catch by the audience and must be retained in their minds. 1. Does the idea of the message stay memorable? # Evaluating Images ## Three Steps of Evaluating an Image 1. Content 2. Source 3. Contextual information ## Analyzing the Text or Images ### A. Content Analysis - What do you see, not assume? - Take note of the people in the picture. - Are there any biases shown? - How do they play a role? - What is the location displayed? - Are there any words? How do they play a role? - How is the subject arranged or positioned in the image? ### B. Visual Analysis - How is the image composed? - What is the background? - What are the main and important visuals? ### C. Image Source - Where does this come from? - Are these images edited? - These are image sources: - Reuters - Associated Press - Getty Images - AFP Photos ### D. Technical Quality - Is the image large enough? - Is the image clear? - What about the brightness? - Is there any enhancement? - Does the image have any copyright? ### E. Contextual Info - What event is the image related to? - How recent is the image? - Are there any edits? - Are there any symbols present in the image?