Media and Information Languages (Lec)

“Language is a source of misunderstanding.”

-McLuhan, 1964

MEANING: This means that the differences between two or more people who speak different languages can lead to misunderstandings between or among them. This could also mean that when one has a different interpretation of another one’s language, then this would lead to misunderstandings.

Does the user’s/audience’s own background or experience affect the interpretation of messages? How?

Yes, because we use our past experiences to gain knowledge or information which we also use in decoding or giving interpretation to messages that we receive. Thus, a lack of background or experience about certain topics can lead to one’s misinterpretation of messages.

Is it possible that a different individual derives a different meaning from the messages? Explain.

Yes, since our experiences affect the way we think or the way we understand concepts, a person with more experiences would know how to interpret a message that is relevant to his/her experiences and a person with less experiences would have limited knowledge or information to use in interpreting messages.

SIGNS AND SYMBOLS USED IN OUR COMMUNITY TO CONVEY INFORMATION

SYMBOL	MEANING/PURPOSE
	No smoking
	No parking
	No outside food or beverages allowed
	Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
	Caution/Warning

SOURCES

·         http://moziru.com/images/no-smoking-clipart-smoker-7.png

·         https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Singapore_Road_Signs_-_Restrictive_Sign_-_No_Parking.svg/552px-Singapore_Road_Signs_-_Restrictive_Sign_-_No_Parking.svg.png

·         http://www.sweetland.events/content/uploads/no-outside-foodbeverages-1-300x200.png

·         https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/Handicapped_Accessible_sign.svg/2000px-Handicapped_Accessible_sign.svg.png

·         https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Caution_sign_used_on_roads_pn.svg/1200px-Caution_sign_used_on_roads_pn.svg.png

ADVERTISEMENTS

COMPONENT PONDS FERDIE MARCO MAYON Target Audience Men Voters Tourists Sender/Author Pond’s Ferdie Marco Your Brother Travel & Tours ATV Amusement Center Purpose to advertise Pond’s Men Facial Wash campaign to advertise Your Brother Key Content Xian Lim product adjectives text/post picture colorful font promos/packages prices of products Form/Style uses celebrity to advertise product uses free food to win the favors of voters uses attention-grabbing colors and pictures to appeal to tourists Medium/Format poster, social media, etc. social media (facebook) poster, social media

ENRICHMENT

What information codes, conventions, and messages about our country is communicated through advertisements?

Duterte’s campaign against drugs is an example of an issue relevant in the Philippines that is being advertised through a commercial on television. Most advertisements in the Philippines feature products, businesses, and laws or rules being promoted by companies and authorities.

If you are to create a postcard for a place or organization of your choice, what technical and symbolic codes would you use to convey important information and create the desired impression? Why?

For example, if I were to create a postcard for MaSci as an educational institute, I would use a professional color scheme and font to make it look serious and credible. I would list the various achievements of outstanding alumni to show how MaSci has contributed to society and to the country and to encourage students to enter MaSci.

How is understanding of the technical and symbolic codes contribute to media and information literacy?

Understanding the technical and symbolic codes leads to the proper use of these codes and accurate or precise delivery of the messages that we’re trying to send out to our audiences. This helps the audience interpret our messages the way we want them to, which ultimately makes the exchange of information among a group of individuals easier and clearer.