14 research outputs found
Linguistic landscaping in selected South African universities : case studies of University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Western Cape (UWC)
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Language Practice, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2019."Language is, then, positively a distinctly human opening of an opening to the world: Not just a distinguishable or instrumental but a constitutive faculty." Williams (1977: 23)
The dissertation explored the linguistic landscaping (LL) of University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study’s purpose was to analyse language forms or modes as they are utilised in disseminating information in the public places of the Main Campus (UWC) and the Upper Campus (UCT), since Kress (2012: 205) asserts that modes are interactive channels of communication.
The study was guided by five objectives (the usage of modes as forms of communication in the selected universities, the modes used to represent signs in the selected universities, the influence of cultural overtones on language use and choice, the historical and current significant semiotic symbols and signs used in the selected South African universities, and the depiction of power relations in the LL of the selected universities), which ultimately guided data collection and analysis. The interpretive paradigm was employed and it informed the researcher’s choice of Multimodality (MDA - Pienaar and Becker 2007) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA - Kress 2003b) as theoretical frameworks and methods of analysis. They enhanced the structuring, collection, analyses and interpretation of data (written, drawn, images, among others), while also providing several means of interpreting and detecting hidden patterns in modes. An in- depth qualitative study was conducted using an explorative case study design and data were collected by means of visual-photography. A digital camera and a phone camera were used to take photographs of signs/texts inside the campuses. A total of 400 data were initially, purposively collected, however, 200 were finally selected for analysis (100 from each university), as they were deemed suitable for the study’s scope, aim, objectives and questions. The research revealed the services, and schools of thought that exist on both campuses, which may also be true reflectors of ‘the norm’ at the universities. There were inconsistencies in the
linguistic structures, with regard to language practice and policy, as well as the observed political, social, and religious dynamics on the campuses. This raised curiosity regarding the effectiveness of language policy (the nation/institution), in relation to the language practices of the institutions. Furthermore, the researcher determined the influence of language as a door that opens other doors, due to the utilised modal resources.
Authors seem to deliberately select texts envisioned to attract a specific audience. A few texts were resemiotised, while others were modified ideas/concepts - adopted from foreign or different texts, and languages (intertextuality). The researcher additionally identified elements of discursive silence, which facilitated a broader analysis of some identified power dynamics, relevance of time and space, as well as their impact on the LLs of the universities. Degenderisation of the disabled was also one of the key findings and it was examined from the perspective of the services (for instance, toilet spaces) rendered, as opposed to the beneficiaries of those services.
Recommendations focused on the definitive promotion of genuine language practices in accordance with the language policy of the country and province in which both universities are located. Emphasis was placed on the reformation of language practice at the universities, which could impact the observed power dynamics, authorship autonomy, and unbiased and accurate historical/political information. This move can possibly promote inclusivity, racial integration, international recognition, and global marketing for the universities and South Africa (SA) as a whole.
The findings provide enlightenment about the current LLs at the universities and contribute to knowledge on language practice in multicultural/ multilingual settings. A framework for LL was created based on the study’s findings, which could be relevant to the South African multicultural and multilingual context. It accentuates the need for a conscious production of texts (to accommodate a broad readership) and an adequate examination of modes (to determine both the existing and hidden elements of discourse and/or discursive practices) in the LLs of SA’s public and private establishments.
A ciritical deconstruction of political discource and symbols : the case of (mis)representation and manipulation in Nigerian politics
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of degree of Doctor
of Philosophy: Language Practice, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018.Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Multimodal Discourse
Analysis (MDA), this study deconstructs political discourse obtained from
the Nigerian political arena. Employing a qualitative research method,
where a case-study design is engaged, the study examines linguistic
(mis)representation and manipulation in Nigerian political settings, drawing
from instances of linguistic and symbolic materials, as observed from
different political endeavours. The study discusses the use of language in
Nigerian politics, in an attempt to understand how discourse and symbols
are used to manipulate the masses, as well as (mis)represent the
politicians.
I investigate how language is used by politicians to gain more audience,
and, as a result, shape opinions that result in votes. Several themes were
developed in the analysis. Important themes are represented in a Wordle
analysis. The Wordle analysis presents actual keywords that emanated
from the scrutinising of collected data. Linguistic items, such as corruption,
Boko Haram, insecurity, power, and support, as well as fight, and God
among others, are evident in the Wordle representation.
The study realized that manipulation in political discourse could be
achieved through different means, such as: through service delivery;
religion; situation of the nation; and crafty linguistic expressions; along with
ethnic influence; and visuals. Furthermore, the research identified the
notion of intertextuality as having a strong hold in political discourse through
resemiotisation, repurposing, recontextualisation and recycling of texts. I
confirmed that power resides within discourse and as such, discourse can
be used to achieve several goals. The work demonstrated how politicians
exploit political messages to achieve their political aims using both lexical
and visual means.
I strongly contend that discourse is powerful, and thus, has the ability to
exploit and influence people. Importantly, the study proposed a theoretical
model or framework for the analysis of misrepresentation and manipulation
in political discourse, as well as other forms of discourse.
Analysing Instagram pages of South African fashion models with Vitiligo using multimodal communication for a practice-based study
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements, for the degree of Master of Applied Arts: Fashion, in the Faculty of Arts and Design at Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.An increase in fashion models with vitiligo are observed from the sharing of representations
of themselves and the skin condition on multimodal forms of communication on social media
platforms, notably Instagram. The study is located in fashion and focuses on vitiligo that has
been widely discussed in the medical field. Vitiligo is a skin condition where the deterioration
of melanocyte cells lead to white patches that present in various areas of the body (Vallerand
et.al 2019: 1371). The significance of this study is to understand the representations led by
fashion models with vitiligo and to join them by using my profession as a fashion designer with
vitiligo to shift the beauty narrative through inclusivity and raising awareness about the skin
condition.
The study is framed by a multimodal discourse analysis and specifically a four-step analytical
process of modal transfer (Kress 2000 and 2010). This frame is used to focus on how fashion
models with vitiligo use multimodal communication in the form of photographs, captions, and
hashtags to communicate themselves, as people with vitiligo through their public Instagram
pages. This form of communication is argued to be their practice of challenging and expanding
accepted notions of beauty. An analysis is followed by a practical component framed by
Sullivan’s (2010) and Skains (2018: 86) creative practice as research.
The study results show how the models have represented themselves and their skin condition.
Some posts touch on themes that seek to shift the narrative and expand notions of beauty.
They share perspectives on inclusivity and diversity, self-love, self-affirmation, body-positivity,
perceptions of the gaze, and what should not be regarded as fashion trends. Optimism
expressed by such themes resulted as psychological healing and promotes good mental
health towards the incurable skin condition.
I designed a body of fashion artefacts for this practice-based study as my contribution to using
fashion as communication to shed light on vitiligo and body positivity. A new Instagram page
has been created to display the practical collection through my own use of multimodal
communication. This process has resulted in 6 fashion artefacts that use hashtags as titles to
speak about vitiligo. The fashion artefact collection celebrates inclusivity and diversity, depicts
the types of formation which vitiligo presents in, and concludes by perceiving all as beauties,
expressed in both in practice and theory.
Generating Diversity:Art, robots, and the future of farming
No full textThe dominant systems of agriculture that provide food for much of the world suffer from a lack of crop diversity, which leaves them vulnerable to the spread of disease and pests. This paper proposes that this is, in part due to the machinery used in industrial agriculture. It introduces a project, Evolving Species One, that is grounded in artistic practice and robotics research that draws inspiration from gallery-based robotic artwork to try to design and evolve robots that can cultivate diversity in the plants that are growing within a complex farm ecosystem
Seeing with Machines:Decipherability and Obfuscation in Adversarial Images
No full textAdversarial images, inputs designed to produce errors in ma-chine learning systems, are a common way for researchers to test the ability of algorithms to perform tasks such as image classification. "Fooling images" are a common kind of adversari-al image, causing miscategorisation errors which can then be used to diagnose problems within an image classification algo-rithm. Situations where human and computer categorise an image differently, which arise from adversarial images, reveal discrepancies between human image interpretation and that of computers. In this paper, aspects of state of the art machine learning research and relevant artistic projects touching on adversarial image approaches will be contextualised in reference to current theories. Harun Farocki's concept of the operative image will be used as a model for understanding the coded and procedural nature of automated image interpretation. Through comparison of current adversarial image methodolo-gies, this paper will consider what this kind of image production reveals about the differences between human and computer visual interpretation
Seeing with Machines:Decipherability and Obfuscation in Adversarial Images
No full textAdversarial images, inputs designed to produce errors in ma-chine learning systems, are a common way for researchers to test the ability of algorithms to perform tasks such as image classification. "Fooling images" are a common kind of adversari-al image, causing miscategorisation errors which can then be used to diagnose problems within an image classification algo-rithm. Situations where human and computer categorise an image differently, which arise from adversarial images, reveal discrepancies between human image interpretation and that of computers. In this paper, aspects of state of the art machine learning research and relevant artistic projects touching on adversarial image approaches will be contextualised in reference to current theories. Harun Farocki's concept of the operative image will be used as a model for understanding the coded and procedural nature of automated image interpretation. Through comparison of current adversarial image methodolo-gies, this paper will consider what this kind of image production reveals about the differences between human and computer visual interpretation
Generating Diversity:Art, robots, and the future of farming
No full textThe dominant systems of agriculture that provide food for much of the world suffer from a lack of crop diversity, which leaves them vulnerable to the spread of disease and pests. This paper proposes that this is, in part due to the machinery used in industrial agriculture. It introduces a project, Evolving Species One, that is grounded in artistic practice and robotics research that draws inspiration from gallery-based robotic artwork to try to design and evolve robots that can cultivate diversity in the plants that are growing within a complex farm ecosystem
South African Sign Language (SASL) Interpreter Portrayal on SABC 1 News Bulletin: What Do Viewers Think?
No full textTelevision Sign Language (SL) Interpreters play a vital role in providing the Deaf community with access to information and knowledge in their primary language, Sign Language. This helps the Deaf community stay informed regarding events in their local and global environment, contributing to their development. However, a lack of research exists on SL interpreters on television. With on-screen placement of SL interpreters during news broadcasts being the primary focus in previous studies, this paper attempts to offer a unique contribution from an audience perception examination of South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreter portrayal in newscasts and its impact. The research, conducted on the SABC 1 news bulletin, employed a qualitative method and purposive sampling. Twelve participants, divided into four categories – Deaf, Hard of hearing, hearing, and SASL interpreters participated in the study through virtual interviews as data collection method. The study findings indicate the portrayal of SASL interpreters on television reflects the discrimination, inequality, and disrespect faced by the Deaf community
South African Sign Language (SASL) Interpreter Portrayal on SABC 1 News Bulletin: What Do Viewers Think?
No full textTelevision Sign Language (SL) Interpreters play a vital role in providing the Deaf community with access to information and knowledge in their primary language, Sign Language. This helps the Deaf community stay informed regarding events in their local and global environment, contributing to their development. However, a lack of research exists on SL interpreters on television. With on-screen placement of SL interpreters during news broadcasts being the primary focus in previous studies, this paper attempts to offer a unique contribution from an audience perception examination of South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreter portrayal in newscasts and its impact. The research, conducted on the SABC 1 news bulletin, employed a qualitative method and purposive sampling. Twelve participants, divided into four categories – Deaf, Hard of hearing, hearing, and SASL interpreters participated in the study through virtual interviews as data collection method. The study findings indicate the portrayal of SASL interpreters on television reflects the discrimination, inequality, and disrespect faced by the Deaf community
South African Sign Language (SASL) Interpreter Portrayal on SABC 1 News Bulletin: What Do Viewers Think?
No full textTelevision Sign Language (SL) Interpreters play a vital role in providing the Deaf community with access to information and knowledge in their primary language, Sign Language. This helps the Deaf community stay informed regarding events in their local and global environment, contributing to their development. However, a lack of research exists on SL interpreters on television. With on-screen placement of SL interpreters during news broadcasts being the primary focus in previous studies, this paper attempts to offer a unique contribution from an audience perception examination of South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreter portrayal in newscasts and its impact. The research, conducted on the SABC 1 news bulletin, employed a qualitative method and purposive sampling. Twelve participants, divided into four categories – Deaf, Hard of hearing, hearing, and SASL interpreters participated in the study through virtual interviews as data collection method. The study findings indicate the portrayal of SASL interpreters on television reflects the discrimination, inequality, and disrespect faced by the Deaf community
