De Guzman, John Michael C.

February 27, 2020

Purposive Communication
01025, TTh (8:30 – 10:00 am)

Movie Analysis: Arrival (2016)

I. Watch the movie Arrival (2016) and answer the following questions:

1. What was the function of the language in the movie?

 The movie shifts its focus from an alien encounter to what the function of language is,
which means of understanding the language unknowable. The aliens was communicated
through the English language. But aliens can’t understand and speak the language, so the
humans were used it to continue to interact with them and initiate communications.
“Arrival” speaks to the importance of culture and identity and how they interconnect and
contribute to our humanity. That is why taking time to understand other cultures and
learning a second language are vital to educating ourselves about the world and
empathizing with those who may not view life exactly like us.
2. Why did they consider the language as a powerful tool?
 In the movie Arrival, it is clear that language is a hugely powerful tool. Because the
physicist hints it from the quote in the Bank's book, "Language is the first weapon drawn
in a conflict.” This quote says that it was able to prevent the issue between the humans and
the aliens. So in many ways, the power in language and communication lies not in starting
conflict, but preventing it. As the governments of the world scramble to learn the purpose
of the alien invasion, it is only through misunderstandings and misinterpretations that
situations get escalated, and the threat of violence is elevated. The subtle difference
between the words ‘weapon’ and ‘tool’, is enough to create pandemonium. Striving
towards greater understanding and communication is presented as the only way to alleviate
growing fears and tensions and ultimately, to prevent all-out war.
3. Do you consider the process of communication in the movie as effective one? Why?
 Yes, it is consider an effective communication process. Although at first, it was not easy
to know the process of learning. Because of communicating with those around humans and
the aliens who identify with a different culture, or speak another language, can be difficult.
But they overcome those barriers in communication for taking time to communicate cross-
culturally with openness, empathy and humility can lead to our developing a mutual
understanding with others, which can have profound and positive effects on the world.

II. Sypnosis (1 paragraph)

Linguist Louise Banks's daughter, Hannah, dies in adolescence from an incurable illness.
Twelve extraterrestrial spacecraft appear at twelve locations across Earth. A U.S. Army officer,
Colonel G.T. Weber, recruits Banks and physicist Ian Donnelly to find out why the aliens have
come. Weber takes them to an army encampment in Montana near one of the craft. On board,
Banks and Donnelly make contact with two seven-limb-ed aliens, whom they call "heptapods";
Donnelly nicknames them Abbott and Costello. Banks and Donnelly begin researching their
written language of complicated circular symbols. As Banks studies the language, she starts to
have visions of a child who seems to be her daughter.