The change in how texts should be read 23 March

Yesterday we discussed how technology is having a major effect on the ways in which we
communicate and learn. This is because technology is developing so rapidly, unlike in previous
generations.

This has led to the break down in homogenous communities, where language was specific to certain:
ages, genders, ethnicities, professions and people of social status. We discussed that the widespread
use of technology has meant we now have a non-homogenous community. This has led to more
people understanding slang and jargon based on codification.

Individuals now have a greater access to: entertainment, information, articles of persuasion and
instructional information. This has been driven by a market who wants to know more. There is no
better example than that of Julian Assange who served on the board of Wiki Leaks, a website used to
publish material in an informative way for an international audience. Wiki Leaks published
information on a lot of classified information. These included: Guantanamo Bay procedures, Afghan
and Iraq War information, Church of Scientology manuals and toxic waste dumping in the Ivory
Coast. This shows that texts that were once seen as “highly professional” have greater access to a
wider audience.

Discussion point: Is our constant access to information making us more informed people? What
effect is this having on our society?

Graphology refers to the presentational devices that show language. The Graphology of the
language used in technology is changing the way in which we read, speak and write. We do not read
things in the same linear fashion that we once would have traditionally. Internet pages have meant
that there are numerous ways in which we can interpret information and take meaning from images.

Examples of icons, emoticons and image value have changed the way we communicate with one
another. The changes in society’s needs (speed, reliance) have meant that language has changed.
Blogging, micro-blogging and social networking constantly use forms of graphology dependent on
the user and audience of the communication device.

We are also able to recreate individual reading of texts based on web 2.0 programs. This has given
the user more influence in language. The rapid increasing in the number of users shows a rapid
increase in the change in language.

NUMBER OF USERS=SPEED OF CHANGE OF LANGUAGE