Lesson 1 Role of language in media

LESSON 1


Role of language in media
The study of media linguistics focuses on the use of language in the media. It considers the role language plays in mass communication and explores the relationship between language and the public. This includes the study of both traditional media (such as newspapers) and digital media (such as social media sites).
The media is an effective way to learn new information and new vocabulary. Through the media, we can access a lot of important information (such as the news). Much of what we read and hear every day comes from the language used in the media. It also provides entertainment (such as films, television, music).
Media linguistics relates to the topic of semiotics, which is the study of signs/symbols and how they can be interpreted.
Media language definition
Let's look at the definition of 'media language':
Media language refers to the different aspects of media that communicate meaning to an audience.
Types of media language
The different types of media language are:

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  Written (things we can read)
  
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  Visual (things we can see)
  
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  Aural (things we can hear)
  
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  Verbal (spoken language)
  
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  Non-verbal (gestures, facial expressions, body language)
  

More than one type of media language can be used within the same medium. For example, television uses a combination of all the above types to convey meaning.
Language of mass communication
The language of mass communication refers to all the different texts produced by the mass media and distributed to the public. Mass media refers to various technologies that reach a wide audience through mass communication.
The four main types of mass communication are print, broadcast, transit, and digital. Each type of mass communication uses one or more types of media language to convey meaning.