"What’s more, there are no language barriers with images."
Being a math teacher, I picked this quote, although there were several that caused me to think and react in this reading. I have always heard math is the universal language in education. I once taught a math class with students from five different countries. It was very interesting to see how each student tried to help the others after listening to my explanation of a topic. So I have come to believe this is true. After reading this article I selected this quote because it reminded me of this particular math class.
I also find it interesting because it can be true or false. Yes, cave men did draw pictures to communicate and one might draw pictures with a deaf person or someone who speaks another language, so this does help eliminate the language barrier. However, as I found out in my Digital Media class last fall, people decompose pictures in different ways depending on who they are. This includes gender, social economic status, ethnic group, age, education, etc. Given this information, one could say the quote is false.
Bilton, N. (2013, June 30). Disruptions: Social Media Images Form a New Language Online. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/disruptions-social-media-images-form-a-new-language-online/?_r=1
Love Letters
Love Letters
In the image above the text message depicts a rose. Simply a drawing to express a sentiment of sending roses to a loved one. This image includes an actual rose, I can only assume for people of an older generation not quite as savvy with texting or imaging. Maybe to help in the transition between text and images as communication. The title "Love Letters" helps convey the idea that alphabetic print-based text is losing prominence in the ways we communicate in the New Media Age.
After reading your post, I am also intrigued by the statement, "there are no language barriers with images." I agree with you that depending on who reads that statement will either believe it is true of false.
ReplyDeleteI actually picked the same quote! I didn't think of the quote in the same way that you did. After considering your thoughts, I also am questioning the truth of the quote. I do know some pictures are pretty universal, such as how to wash your hands and pictures of that sort. However, different pictures can be interpreted in different ways. Either way, communicating with pictures would be more effective than trying to communicate with someone in a different language without that help. Thank you for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI also chose that same quote. I feel that most of us took the same thought from the reading. It is very easy to see that this would be the most used quote. I understand what you mean by not everyone interprets things the same way. I may see a picture and it may invoke a completely different feeling for me than it would for you. This was a great post.
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with the idea of math being a universal language because of my work with ELL students. I like the comparison of pictures and math since they are both ways to easily communicate with people of different cultures and abilities. I agree that your picture further clarifies the argument that text is becoming less relevant in our digital society.
ReplyDeleteExcellent discussion about the idea of no language barriers with images. I agree that this seems to be an overstatement. I think Bill Smith says it best when he wrote, "While we may share a universal language of an image’s general meaning, we add meaning by filtering through our experience."(Student in Oral Histories Matter at Columbia University)
ReplyDeleteKelly Ann, good to share another class with you, looking forward to more of your insights! The one thought that really amazes me is how we have taken symbols that mean one thing and by putting them together or pairing them a certain order we create a new symbol :) or if were are feeling a bit spry ;) ... point is we are always looking for a way to communicate with and image instead of words as if to say... words just aren't enough to convey exactly what I want you know... and feel. Great visual to express that thought!
ReplyDeleteI recognized a few of you used the same quote. After reading why you chose it, it made more sense to me why! I believe that it is also and overstatement, but your connection with Math makes it more relatable. Your image is a create example sending roses to loved ones, esp through a text. I think that is a great image showing two things being communicated.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct in saying that math is a universal language. I am currently teaching math to 5th grade and it is easy to see how each student comprehends it differently. I would imagine that you had a similar experience when you taught math. I also love your visual metaphor with the rose. I remember the days of trying to create an image on an old Nokia phone and was always unsuccessful. The new media age will be a new and exciting adventure for all.
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