LANGUAGE OF MEDIA

SUBTITLE
MEDIA LANGUAGE
• Is the sum of –
• Codes
• conventions
• formats
• symbols
• and narrative structures
• All of which indicates the meaning of media messages to an audience
CODES AND TYPES OF CODES
• Codes are systems of signs that when put together create meaning.
• Codes mainly are of three types –
• SYMBOLIC CODES
• WRITTEN CODES TECHNICAL CODES
CODES AND TYPES OF CODES
• Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see (objects, setting,
body language, clothing, color, etc. ) or iconic symbols that are easily understood.
• Written code is the use of language style and textual layout (headlines, captions,
speech bubbles, language style, etc. )
• Technical codes are ways in which equipment is used to tell the story .
• This includes sound, camera angles, types of shots and lighting as well as camera
techniques, framing, depth of field, lighting, exposure and juxtaposition.
TYPES OF MEDIA
• Print Media
• - low cost
• - detailed information
• - Read only
• Broadcast media
• - audio visual
• - requires appropriate mode of presentation.
• Out of Home Media
• - can be billboards
• - information and presentation needs to be compact
• Internet or new Media
• - raw information
• Curt and to the point
• No hassle of presentation.
SOURCES OF MEDIA INFORMATION
• Primary sources: primary source are those with whom reporters talks for accurate
information and with whom the news happens.
• Secondary sources: secondary source are those who are officials and eye witness
who help in the progress of the news.
AUTHENTICATING THE SOURCES
• Media can often be flooded with irrelevant and misleading news.
• Sources of news should be checked.
• Verified news should be documented.
• Cross check is necessary.
PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
• There are certain techniques conventionally followed by all media organizations.
• The most commonly used technique is the inverted pyramid style. This format is the
style mostly applicable to hard news stories, even though sometimes applied feature
stories and other soft as well.
• A lead is a starting paragraph (or it can be said –an introductory Para) of a news
item, article, feature, essay, news story etc.
• It usually accompanies with a headline following by the main body with full of
content.
• Reading habit of different contemporary exclusive news stories helps to understand
who to write a lead.
TYPES OF MEDIA LANGUAGE
• The types of media language includes –
• Written language
• Verbal language
• Non verbal language
• Visual language
• Aural language
• Semiotics
• Denotation
• Connotations
THEORIES
• One of the most common theories regarding this particular subject matter is that of
Roland Barthes regarding semiotics
• Semiotics indicates the study of signs.
• Examines how visual (inc written), audio and technical codes construct meaning
• Looks at how meaning is made and understood.
• There are three part to every signs –
• The Signifier: The physical form of the sign. The written word on the paper, a traffic
light, a smile.
THEORIES
• The Signified: This is the concept or idea that the signifier produces. A red light
signifies stop.
• The Referent: The real thing, not the signal or the idea but the real, individual thing.
A real individual rose, the real feeling of happiness.
• Structuralism is a set of early 20th century ideas and positions which emphasized
that meanings, whether linguistic or anthropological can only be understood within
social or psychological. Claude Levi-Strauss emphasized the importance of
structuring oppositions in myth systems and in language.
MISE-EN-SCENE
• Means “put in scene”
• The idea is that everything is in the scene for a reason.
• This includes props, lighting, music, setting, characters
LANGUAGE AND MODE OF ADDRESS
• How does the text speak to the audience?
• The language used gives clues to the audience, genre and purpose
• Language
• Colloquial – chatty slang
• Vocabulary – polysyllabic, technical jargon
• Hyperbole - exaggerated
• • Informal
• Formal
LANGUAGE AND MODE OF ADDRESS
• Direct mode of address
• Indirect mode of address
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS IMPACT
• Social media is an informal mode of address.
• Here priority is given to delivery rather than structuralism.
• Content matters
• Rather than the presentation of contents.
• Often direct and curt.
THANK YOU !