Language plays a vital role in the construction of preferred meanings. Spoken and written words have an effect on the way we interpret a story, therefore, the words that are used in spoken and written pieces are hugely important. Everyday language and the use of colloquial terms can have an influence on the perception of the intended reading of a text. In spoken pieces, the pronunciation of words and accents used can also have an effect on how the audience perceives the intended message. When analysing the language used in mediated texts, there are three questions that can be referred to surrounding the media output. These are; how is the world represented, what identities are set up for those involved in the program or story, and what relationships are set up between those involved?
A classic example of this is the difference in the language used in broadsheet and tabloid newspapers. Broadsheets use more formal and clean language whereas tabloids would use more casual almost dumbed down language to appeal to an audience who would be more interested in easily digestible content.
Focusing more on the spoken word pieces such as interviews, it is important to ask, what is being said and how is it being said? This involves the process of a conversational analysis. This form of analysis focuses on social interaction rather than language and also on conversation as an everyday skill. Methods of delivery that can be picked up on when watching or listening to interviews are, the creation of pseudo-intimacy, the inclusion or omittance of accents, and the language used. Pseudo-intimacy/familiarity can be witnessed in various types of entertainment content such as radio phone-in shows, morning talk shows, and reality tv programmes. These fabricated relationships are created to draw the attention of viewers and can add to the preferred meaning of a message depending on the relationship that is being created. This might be done by including a segment on a talk show where viewers can phone in every day at a certain time with questions around a specific topic. This creates the illusion of a bond between the host of the show and his/her audience.
Pseudo-intimacy/familiarity can be witnessed in various types of entertainment content such as radio phone-in shows, morning talk shows, and reality tv programmes. These fabricated relationships are created to draw the attention of viewers and can add to the preferred meaning of a message depending on the relationship that is being created. This might be done by including a segment on a talk show where viewers can phone in every day at a certain time with questions around a specific topic. This creates the illusion of a bond between the host of the show and his/her audience.
The omittance or inclusion of an accent in the delivery of a mediated text can have an effect on the speakers’ credibility. This is known as the fluency effect. This becomes activated when a speaker appears to have a foreign accent or an accent that is not native to the country that it is being broadcasted in. The importance of accents in these deliveries is to create the idea that the speaker is on the same level as the receivers or “one of them”. This builds trust and adds to the appearance of naturalness in mediated content. This also has an effect on the boundary between the public and the private world where the use of accent-less tones is presented in a public broadcast and to address issues that may be seen as more personal to a certain region, (private world) there is an accent present.
In an interview situation, the language that is being used has a notable effect on how the audience perceives the interviewer and interviewee. If the relationship between the two is tense or awkward in any way, it may be uncomfortable for viewers to watch. In theory, interviewees are there to answer the questions that they are being asked, but this is often not the case. People partake in interviews to promote themselves or work that they are involved in, therefore they often answer questions in a round about way that allows them to get their own agendas across. It can often result in questions going unanswered or answered in a confusing way.
Julia Walsh 