Languages

• Language


  A system of arbitrary, vocal symbols that permit all people in a given culture, or other people who have learned the system of that culture to communicate or to interact
• Media language


  Pertains to the technical and symbolic ingredients or codes and conventions that media and information professionals may select and use in an effort to communicate ideas, information and knowledge
• Media codes


  Tools used to construct or suggest meaning in media forms and product that have a commonly established meaning to the target audience
• Types of media codes

  • Technical codes
  • Symbolic codes
  • Written codes
• Technical codes


  • Codes specific to a media form alone
  • High-angle shots
  • Low-angle shots
  • Close-up shots
  • Extreme Close-up shots
  • Lighting
  • Sound
• Symbolic codes


  • The meaning of the product is not based on the product itself but on the interpretation of the audience; audience based
  • Setting
  • Color
  • Iconic Symbols
  • Language
  • Clothing
  • Actions
  • Mise en scene
• Written codes


  • Formal written language used in creating a media product
  • Text in Frame
  • Dialogue
• Media conventions


  Possible methods in which codes are organized in a product; based on a standard or norm that acts as a rule governing behavior
• Types of media conventions

  • Form conventions
  • Story conventions
  • Genre conventions
• Form conventions


  • Ways in which the types of media codes are expected to be arranged
  • Title at the beginning, credits at the end
  • Tutorials explaining mechanics of how the game works
• Story conventions


  • Refer to the basic structures of narratives
• Genre conventions


  • The common use of the elements of narratives such as the characters, settings, or themes in a certain type of media
• Culture is very important in the way we interpret signs and codes. It is important to realize that culture always determines the meaning a sign or code communicates.
• Media message


  Pieces of information sent from a source to a receiver; ideas that may arise from media contents
• Each audience member brings to each media encounter a unique set of life experiences (age, gender, education, cultural upbringing, etc.) which, when applied to or combined with the text create unique interpretations.
• Media producers are people engaged in the process of creating and putting together media content to make a finished media product
• Media producers must possess the skill in assessing the media texts and have a thorough understanding of the target product and the processes that go into creating them
• Media stakeholders


  People or organizations that share the same interests or intentions
• Media audience


  Group of consumers for whom a media message was constructed as well as anyone else who is exposed to the message