Syntagm and Paradigm

Last week, we studied about Syntagm and Paradigm for understand structuralism.

Syntagm is a linguistic unit consisting of a set of linguistic form that are in a sequential relationship to one another.

And Syntagm is always composed of two or more units. Also, often contrasted with paradigm.

Paradigm is a set of linguistic items that form mutually exclusive choices in particular syntactic roles.

I learned those two things in visual class when we study about Saussure’s theory.

For example, ‘I love coffee’ is syntagm. It mean separate elements brought together in an agreed, logical sequence.

Besides, ‘Coffe I love’ is doesn’t make sense. That means if the structure of syntagm is wrong, it related to make wrong sentences.

In easy way, we can omit the milk and sugar and we can substitute black tea for green tea.

At first time, this theory is quiet difficult for me because Korean have different type of structure.

When we want to say “I Love coffee”, if it’s translate into Korean, “I coffee Love”.

We can change grammar order while we speak and also we can understand what they want to say.

However, even if we use different kinds of language, I think basic structure is all same.

For instance, we can substitute any elements for another in the same set. Like we can make sentence like ‘a cup of coffee/tea.’

Due to this story, I can think about structuralism and Syntagm and want to know about Saussure’s theory.

Media like the Internet and TV have a greater influence over people’s lives than politicians.

Media has been playing an important role in our community, especially, as either an informative tool, like broadcasting latest news on TV, or communicative method via internet.

With a result, politicians’ speech or policy does not seem to influence the public lives as much as the media. In my opinion, the influence of media will be dependent on what political ideology lie behind the nations to operate.

First of all, for nations where democracy is rooted, the power of media will be much stronger than politicians. Especially, in regard to commercial activity, the public will relatively trust the media. The sheer volumes of experts work together on media, reporting real economic circumstances, while politicians sometimes distort the reality, merely planning or proposing future opportunity. For example, even if governments introduce the new policy for real property, the public will not buy or sell their houses or lands, since experts, like real-estate agency, on internet analyze the phases the current real-estate situation we are facing. In other words, media infiltrate into the public much more deeply than politicians’ policy, showing practical situation or problems on internet or TV.

However, not all nations fully guarantee the public or media free speech or freedom in expression. Especially, in communist countries, such as North Korea as well as despotic nations, like Egypt, the politicians still much more influence the public, as they censor the internet, or as they abuse the power broadcasting. For example, several months ago, the President of Egypt has been accused for fixing-election, and this will not be the only case of abusing the media. Even, the citizens in North Korea still much more influence the public, as they censor the internet, or as they abuse the power of broadcasting.

To sum up, the sheer numbers of eyes are always on the media, like TV or internet, but not all human beings around world have the right. Therefore, the power of media will exceed that of politician, once free speech or expression is secured.

Symbols and Logos

There are many LOGO and SYMBOLS in our society. And we see over an average of 20 Logos a day.

Maybe we can see more than 20. All shops have their own logo. For example, ASDA have their own logo ‘ASDA’, MC DONALDS have big yellow ‘M’. Brands use logos so that their product is easily recognizable. I think the power of LOGO is amazing. I think that’s because ‘Visualization’. In our brain, when we see something which one is simple, good eye-catching it remains easy to remember. If they have bright color, it can be more effectively.

This week, we study about Symbols and Logos. There is a theory for this, Roland Barthes states Denotation is the literal meaning of something and Connotation is the Symbolic meaning of the non-verbal meaning. It’s just not a picture, designers have to carefully create a logo in order to make it fit for their product and representative of their product. Secondly, Symbols is kind of image of company. For example, Apple is the name of company. Before the apple products came out, apple is a fruit for us. But now ‘Apple’ is a name of the products. It can mean new beginnings or temptation and nowadays it is a symbol for developments in technology.

Nowadays, we can see many different kinds of Logo and Symbol in everywhere. In the future, the world may change our name to the logo to come.

The advantages and disadvantages of using the internet to help students learn English prounciation

Today’s topic is also makes me wondering it is good or not. It’s hard to learn different language without use internet. But that information is not always right one. Anyway, let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of using the internet.

Nowadays, the usage of the Internet is increasing everyday. In addition, people use internet for many different kind of acting. Likewise, for example, students who want to master English pronunciation use the Internet. And there are some positive things about using the Internet to study.

Firstly, students hope to upgrade their pronunciation through the free online dictionaries. Also if can be faster than using a traditional paper dictionary. Although, the users may find more useful recording and listening to it again more useful.

Beside, use of the internet may distract students from their study. Some of them can resist the temptation to do other things like play game or blogging. Furthermore, all students want to have their own free time so that could be more dangerous for users. And there are some limits to the account of words in online dictionaries.

In conclusion, it can be seen that both opinions are valid. It can be accepted as a good thing or a bad thing. This opinion does not apply to every case. And, passion and talent may plat an important role in learning English.

Media and communication class IT lesson

Today topic is ‘Choose a group within society, either in your own country or another you have lived in,and with reference to the theories we have looked at in class’.

So I’m going to write about program called ‘Going together’. And in Korea we called ‘동행‘.

It’s about people who trapped in a cycle of poverty. Moreover, this program is a story of family who stand the end of the cliff because of the family disease, bankruptcy and some other reason.

In this program they represented in a positive way. The story is change in every week and each family member is trying to live their life better.  When I saw this program at first, I wondering why media’s want to treatment of this group of people.  I think they want to illustrate the neighbors that do not place the strap of hope in that situation, and check with the site of their lives for the safety net sees in our society. For this reason, people may look back upon the past; furthermore audience may help them with donation.  And the media will help them to connect with people or company who want to donate for them.

The conclusion is some program may give damage to performer but some of them, like this program, can help them to make better life. Media can also be a supporter for people.

Modern technology is better for communication than more traditional methods

Do you think modern technology is better for communication than more traditional methods?

Nowadays, technology has improved faster and so people can approach technology more easily. However, whatever we use or improve shouldn’t be overcome. It is currently being questioned whether it is always useful in life. Today dairy, positive and negative sides will be explained.

To begin with, the introduction of technology has improved the mobile phone which means that anyone can approach it more easily and quickly. A good example is that even older people can send messages or use social networks. Moreover, people can obtain a signment amount of knowledge more widely. On the other hand, even if mobile phones have many comfortable features but they have no soul. For example, people can communicate with strangers who are called friends on social networking sites. Although users could be normal. Besides, traditional methods which include greeting face to face can encourage people to feel and think about each other.

Modern Technology is similar to double edged blade because it can be harmful rather than beneficial. We should think about our traditional ways and should mix them with modern technology. And most important think is we have to know how to use technology effectively.

Introduction to Multimedia and communication

Yesterday, we studied about some theory about Audience who effected on Media. There are 5 theories and I will explain 3 theories.

First theory is ‘The Hypodermic Needle’. The Hypodermic Needle theory said media have strong influence for passive audience directly. For example, in 1938 Orson Welles wrote ‘War of the world’s radio broadcast’. It’s about Earth invasion of aliens and it was science fiction. But audience believed it is true story and they got frightening.  That’s because the audience just sit in chair or stay in home and receive the message immediately without own ideas.

Secondly, it is ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ theory. There are 5step that the way of receiving media for audience. In this theory, ‘Dissatisfied’ is the reason to motivating factor for audience. Once the needs have been met, the next step is shown as motivators. Otherwise, if it’s out-dated that’s because Ambition may cause people to fail to protect own safety of social inclusion.

Last theory is ‘Uses and Gratifications’. It’s about Active audience should use the media as a way to meet their needs and motivations. There are some advantages and disadvantages in this theory. Audience are individuals or small groups with different interest and needs, besides, they have no choice to choose information.

There is some confusion about the meaning of these theories for me. So some information are wrong.