http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/feb/01/simmons-sign-language-at-center-stage-of-super/
This article is describing the different types of advertisements that will be shown during the Super Bowl game this year. First, a Bridgestone Tires commercial is described. Fox Network will be recieving 2.7 million dollars for every thirty seconds a commercial airs. The rest of the article describes the commercials that will be played during the game, and how much they will cost each company airing them.
This article contains cultural information that describes what type of society we live in. In our culture, one thirty second chance to sell something, anything, is worth 3 million dollars. That just doesn't seem right. That shows that we are so caught up in the business of selling and buying that people are willing to spend millions and millions of dollars to try to do so. It is hard to imagine a million dollars. To these advertisers though, it is chump change.
If a fieldworker were interested in this situation, he or she may want to inquire about certain things. He or she may ask, "How many people will see these commercials?" or "Is business helped so much by this thirty second spot that it is worth three million?". It comes down to priority. What are these advertisers really trying to do? Sell their product? Or make a name for themselves by spending the most on their Super Bowl commercial? Is communicating with a potential buyer really worth that much?
A fieldworker's questions may be different than those of a journalist. A fieldworker would ask questions like "how?" and "why?", while a journalist only attempts to get the cold hard facts. The only thing the journalist wants is the full scoop, while the fieldworker is interested in knowing why the company is choosing to do what they do.
To answer the question of "What's going on here?", a fieldworker would have many options. Maybe he or she could interview the producers of the commercials to see what type of message they want to relay and how much it is really worth. Is using a persuasive language to attempt to sell a product that literally costs a company 3 million dollars really necessary? It is not really the importance of the language here, but the timing of the language used.
A fieldworker could use research of other Super Bowls. How much did companies spend in years past? Also, he or she could find out how much sales really increase after these commercials are played. The fieldworker may also want to interview some of the people who are really "in the know". The producers, people at the network or the company head would all give insightful information on this topic.
To research the topic, the fieldworker could use one of many resources. He or she could use the internet or delve deeper into research at the library. To speak and interview with the other individuals, the fieldworker would need to seek out where they are. He or she could participate in a personal interview (face to face), which may take a bit more effort, or a phone interview.
Attempting to understand the true worth of this million dollar communication is a hard concept. For years, companies have been spending millions on that one Super Bowl day to even barely et their name out there. Persuasive language usually does penetrate its subject, but there are no guarantees. So maybe this persuasive language turned into million dollar communication is all just a scam. So, this question is: Is it all really worth it? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Gap Between Word and Reality
After reading "On Being A Cripple" by Nancy Mairs, I have really started to analyze and think about the words I choose and why I choose them. To Nancy Mairs the word "cripple" is equal to the words "handicapped" or "disabled". Personally, I would probably never refer to someone as "cripple" because I feel like that word is insulting. Though to Mairs that word is not an insult, to other handicapped individuals, it may be.
Another example of this is the naming of races. To white people, calling an African American person "black" is uncomfortable. To black people, calling a Caucasian person "white" is a bit awkward. I witnessed this in my Africana Studies class this week. When the teacher referred to the white people in the room as "white", the African American people in the class began looking around as if he had just cursed at us or deeply insulted us. He then proceeded to ask why they looked as if they felt so awkward. They replied in agreement that they all felt uncomfortable referring to Caucasians as "white" and one individual even stated that she would feel more comfortable saying "non-black" or "Caucasian" in reference to white people. In the same way, white people feel strange calling African Americans "black". Even in typing this blog, I felt a little uncomfortable saying "black people" over and over. Most white people do not get insulted when referred to as "white" and most black people do not get offended when referred to as "black". The point I'm trying to get at is that we are so self conscious of the words we use when a lot of times we should not worry so much. I am not encouraging that everyone says whatever is on their mind by cursing and insulting each other, but being capable of using language properly in a casual way is just as important as using it properly in a formal way.
Finding the gap between word and reality is important. Learning which words can be insulting and which are just casual words that could possibly be awkward to use is vital to communicating. In the same way that Mairs is cripple and doesn't mind being referred to as that, a white person does not mind being referred to as a white person. Her condition or someone's skin color is not their choice or their fault, it is just the way they are and stating their condition will not offend them. Figuring out language and how to use it in this "informal" manner is vital to putting it into practice.
Another example of this is the naming of races. To white people, calling an African American person "black" is uncomfortable. To black people, calling a Caucasian person "white" is a bit awkward. I witnessed this in my Africana Studies class this week. When the teacher referred to the white people in the room as "white", the African American people in the class began looking around as if he had just cursed at us or deeply insulted us. He then proceeded to ask why they looked as if they felt so awkward. They replied in agreement that they all felt uncomfortable referring to Caucasians as "white" and one individual even stated that she would feel more comfortable saying "non-black" or "Caucasian" in reference to white people. In the same way, white people feel strange calling African Americans "black". Even in typing this blog, I felt a little uncomfortable saying "black people" over and over. Most white people do not get insulted when referred to as "white" and most black people do not get offended when referred to as "black". The point I'm trying to get at is that we are so self conscious of the words we use when a lot of times we should not worry so much. I am not encouraging that everyone says whatever is on their mind by cursing and insulting each other, but being capable of using language properly in a casual way is just as important as using it properly in a formal way.
Finding the gap between word and reality is important. Learning which words can be insulting and which are just casual words that could possibly be awkward to use is vital to communicating. In the same way that Mairs is cripple and doesn't mind being referred to as that, a white person does not mind being referred to as a white person. Her condition or someone's skin color is not their choice or their fault, it is just the way they are and stating their condition will not offend them. Figuring out language and how to use it in this "informal" manner is vital to putting it into practice.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
No Comprendo
"¿Puede tomo sus bolsas?"
"Uhh... Yes, I mean, sí gracias", I replied to the man offering to take my bags.
We had just landed in Acapulco, Mexico and were retrieving our bags from the luggage claim. For two weeks, a group of fifteen other students and I were going to be living in the most deprived area of Acapulco. We were going to be working with the Casa Hogar orphanage spending time with the children, cleaning, doing construction, and sharing the word of God.
After having three years of Spanish classes in high school, I assumed that the language barrier would be no problem at all for me. However, I figured out rather quickly that I crack under pressure. When it came time for me to translate or carry on a conversation, I froze. I had been trained for hours and hours on how to understand and reply to anything spoken to me in Spanish. Understanding was not the problem, fumbling to piece a response together was. Over the course of a few days I became more relaxed and less nervous when put on the spot to speak to a native Spanish speaker. Though my grammar was as bad as nails on a chalkboard and my accent wreaked of East Tennessee, they could somewhat understand me. I realized that hand gestures and motions really helped too. Sometimes the children would giggle and laugh at my pathetic attempt to converse. Especially when I would accidently say "buenos dias" as they were going to bed. Hearing other people in my group speak so fluently and efficiently to the native Spanish speakers made me so jealous. Why couldn't I just understand and respond like they could? I studied so hard to be able to accomplish the very thing I could barely do.
As I would attempt to speak to the Hispanic children, they would get so frustrated when I couldn't understand or when I was unsure of how to respond. To them it was my fault that I could not communicate fully. They expected me to be able to speak as well as them and I just couldn't.
I then realized that the way I was feeling then is probably how non-English speakers all over the world feel. Americans travel places every day expecting everyone there to understand them and respond to them regardless of their native language. For example, English speakers are usually learn one or two words when travelling to a Spanish speaking country. Those words usually being baño or cerveza. We travel to these non-English speaking countries and expect everyone to be able to communicate with us using English in stead of their native language. To Spanish speakers, their language is of highest status. They respect their language and it is a valued part of their culture. For someone to barely attempt to undertand it and then try to speak it is almost an insult to them.
I have heard so many people complain about having to deal with a Hispanic person here in the States. "I can't even understand him!", "Send them back to where they came from!" they would shout. Most Americans find zero patience when it comes time to attempt to understand someone of another culture. I highly doubt that when we completely butcher a Spanish phrase as simple as "¿hola cómo son usted?", Spanish speakers suggest we high tail it back to "where we came from."
Being thrown into a culture I was unfamiliar with taught me so many things. Spanish culture is completely different than American culture. Hispanic people love their language and they love to utilize it to share with each other and appreciate each other. I have never seen people that care so much about one another and use their words to show it. I learned from this experience to respect other cultures, especially the language portion of it. For the most part, Americans could care less about how our language is used, but to other people in other cultures it is different. Their language is what their beliefs and culture is founded on. Learning to appreciate all language is what we must do to be respectful and careful of others.
"Uhh... Yes, I mean, sí gracias", I replied to the man offering to take my bags.
We had just landed in Acapulco, Mexico and were retrieving our bags from the luggage claim. For two weeks, a group of fifteen other students and I were going to be living in the most deprived area of Acapulco. We were going to be working with the Casa Hogar orphanage spending time with the children, cleaning, doing construction, and sharing the word of God.
After having three years of Spanish classes in high school, I assumed that the language barrier would be no problem at all for me. However, I figured out rather quickly that I crack under pressure. When it came time for me to translate or carry on a conversation, I froze. I had been trained for hours and hours on how to understand and reply to anything spoken to me in Spanish. Understanding was not the problem, fumbling to piece a response together was. Over the course of a few days I became more relaxed and less nervous when put on the spot to speak to a native Spanish speaker. Though my grammar was as bad as nails on a chalkboard and my accent wreaked of East Tennessee, they could somewhat understand me. I realized that hand gestures and motions really helped too. Sometimes the children would giggle and laugh at my pathetic attempt to converse. Especially when I would accidently say "buenos dias" as they were going to bed. Hearing other people in my group speak so fluently and efficiently to the native Spanish speakers made me so jealous. Why couldn't I just understand and respond like they could? I studied so hard to be able to accomplish the very thing I could barely do.
As I would attempt to speak to the Hispanic children, they would get so frustrated when I couldn't understand or when I was unsure of how to respond. To them it was my fault that I could not communicate fully. They expected me to be able to speak as well as them and I just couldn't.
I then realized that the way I was feeling then is probably how non-English speakers all over the world feel. Americans travel places every day expecting everyone there to understand them and respond to them regardless of their native language. For example, English speakers are usually learn one or two words when travelling to a Spanish speaking country. Those words usually being baño or cerveza. We travel to these non-English speaking countries and expect everyone to be able to communicate with us using English in stead of their native language. To Spanish speakers, their language is of highest status. They respect their language and it is a valued part of their culture. For someone to barely attempt to undertand it and then try to speak it is almost an insult to them.
I have heard so many people complain about having to deal with a Hispanic person here in the States. "I can't even understand him!", "Send them back to where they came from!" they would shout. Most Americans find zero patience when it comes time to attempt to understand someone of another culture. I highly doubt that when we completely butcher a Spanish phrase as simple as "¿hola cómo son usted?", Spanish speakers suggest we high tail it back to "where we came from."
Being thrown into a culture I was unfamiliar with taught me so many things. Spanish culture is completely different than American culture. Hispanic people love their language and they love to utilize it to share with each other and appreciate each other. I have never seen people that care so much about one another and use their words to show it. I learned from this experience to respect other cultures, especially the language portion of it. For the most part, Americans could care less about how our language is used, but to other people in other cultures it is different. Their language is what their beliefs and culture is founded on. Learning to appreciate all language is what we must do to be respectful and careful of others.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Say What??
"One such struggle is learning how to say something in English--the delivery", says Tara Elyssa.
Each English speaking person adds their own little twist to the language. Whether it is a northern accent, a southern twang, or just a habit picked up over the years, everyone slightly alters the language in their own way. The raising and lowering of one's voice when pronouncing a word can completely change the tone of what is being said. The phrase can become sarcastic when the purpose of the phrase was to be a question, or the phrase can turn from a question to a statement. However, as Elyssa states, the changing of pronunciation is completely lost on those who are not fully educated in the same language.
Something that correlates with the above paragraph would be English speakers creating words that stand for something else, like nicknames. Like we said in class, Eskimos have over fifty words for the word snow. In that same way, it seems English speakers create words or names for objects that we commonly refer to. For example, the word "food". English speakers probably have at least ten other words that associate with the word "food". (Not to mention what that says about our culture...) Grub, fuel, lunch, eatin', dinner, brunch, breakfast, etc... Native English speakers would most likely relate all those words to the idea of some type of food.
Not only do we create other words for commonly referred to objects, we create words to combine commonly used words. Words like "gonna" or "wanna". If you turn to G in the dictionary, no, "gonna" will not be listed. But ask any English speaker, and he or she will automatically know that "gonna" really means "going to". Soon, as we discussed during class time, words like "gonna", "wanna", or "shoulda" will actually become part of the English language.
Language is a beautiful thing, and without it, we would lack almost all of the communication we attain. However, it is changing everyday and it is imperative that we closely observe those changes and utilize them to adapt to our surroundings and communicate daily.
Each English speaking person adds their own little twist to the language. Whether it is a northern accent, a southern twang, or just a habit picked up over the years, everyone slightly alters the language in their own way. The raising and lowering of one's voice when pronouncing a word can completely change the tone of what is being said. The phrase can become sarcastic when the purpose of the phrase was to be a question, or the phrase can turn from a question to a statement. However, as Elyssa states, the changing of pronunciation is completely lost on those who are not fully educated in the same language.
Something that correlates with the above paragraph would be English speakers creating words that stand for something else, like nicknames. Like we said in class, Eskimos have over fifty words for the word snow. In that same way, it seems English speakers create words or names for objects that we commonly refer to. For example, the word "food". English speakers probably have at least ten other words that associate with the word "food". (Not to mention what that says about our culture...) Grub, fuel, lunch, eatin', dinner, brunch, breakfast, etc... Native English speakers would most likely relate all those words to the idea of some type of food.
Not only do we create other words for commonly referred to objects, we create words to combine commonly used words. Words like "gonna" or "wanna". If you turn to G in the dictionary, no, "gonna" will not be listed. But ask any English speaker, and he or she will automatically know that "gonna" really means "going to". Soon, as we discussed during class time, words like "gonna", "wanna", or "shoulda" will actually become part of the English language.
Language is a beautiful thing, and without it, we would lack almost all of the communication we attain. However, it is changing everyday and it is imperative that we closely observe those changes and utilize them to adapt to our surroundings and communicate daily.
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