Professors Bill Cope and Mary Kalantzis from the University of Illinois discuss the evolution of language from oral to literacy, the influence of digital media, inequalities in literacy, and the importance of understanding multimodal forms of communication. They explore the distinctions between speech and text, the rise of influencers, and the evolving role of language in meaning making.
Speech and text are distinct forms of communication with unique characteristics, crucial for navigating meaning-making in a multimodal world.
New digital technologies have revolutionized meaning-making, creating a cyber-social relationship that shapes human interaction with the world.
Deep dives
The Impact of Cyber-Social Meaning-making Tools
The introduction of new digital technologies and devices has revolutionized the way we make meaning. These technologies, such as smartphones and computers, have become extensions of our own abilities, enabling us to easily access information, communicate, and create content. They have allowed us to make meaning in multiple ways, from accessing health information to engaging in education. However, this also means that we have become increasingly dependent on these technologies, and they often control what we give back. The cyber-social relationship between humans and machines is a critical aspect to consider, as it shapes the way we navigate and interact with the world.
The Distinction Between Speech and Text
Speech and text are two distinct forms of communication with their own unique characteristics. Speech involves the use of sound and leverages gestures and body language to convey meaning. In contrast, text is a written form of communication that relies on representing sounds in a two-dimensional format. While speech and text may share some similarities, such as conveying concepts and instances, they differ significantly in terms of materiality and mode of expression. Understanding these differences is crucial in navigating the complexities of meaning-making in a multimodal world.
Challenging Traditional Education Systems
Our current education system often fails to recognize and adapt to the multimodal nature of communication in today's world. The focus on phonics and written language instruction may not sufficiently address the diverse ways in which students make meaning. Socioeconomic factors also play a significant role in education, as they can impact access to resources and experiences that shape a student's ability to engage meaningfully with the world. It is essential for educators to reconsider traditional approaches and embrace the affordances of new technologies in order to create more inclusive and empowering learning environments.
The Radical Shift in Meaning-Making
The advent of new technologies has led to a radical shift in how we make meaning. These technologies have become prostheses through which we engage in various forms of communication and expression. They offer unparalleled access to information, opportunities for collaboration, and the creation of new forms of media. However, they also present challenges as we grapple with issues of control, inequality, and ethics. The cyber-social relationship between humans and machines requires careful consideration to ensure that this new era of meaning-making fosters inclusivity, diversity, and social progress.
Listen to Episode No.7 of All We Mean, a Special Focus of this podcast. All We Mean is an ongoing discussion and debate about how we mean and why. The guests on today's episode are Bill Cope and Mary Kalantzis, professors at the University of Illinois. In this episode of the Focus, our topic is This is what language means.
It is text, and it is speech — but is not the two wholly as one. It is speech, and then it is text, or it is the other way around — but the two cannot be one, because between them opens a gulf of difference: Text is the one extreme — the other end of which is Speech.
And neither makes — nor the two together can make what the digital is for us today. We read images as much as we do print. Music and sounds are louder than speech in many regions of the online. Video brings movement to life, while the moving body or the object in motion makes space visible. All this is called virtual reality for good reason. We call it all the cyber-social.