Reflective Journal: HOW DOES CONTECT IMPACT ON COMMUNICATION?

Figure 1: Mind map–Cultural Literacy: How does context impact on communication?

Recently, I have been taught about cultural literacy, to which Schirato and Yell (2000) refer the ability to understand and identify differences under diverse cultural contexts. According to Schirato and Yell (2000), context consists of 3 fundamental elements: meanings (body languages and codes), settings and people (participants in different ages, genders, ect.). In conjunction with figure 2, I would like to carry out a further analysis.

Context has a great impact on communication due to its great impact on people's mindset. Since signs do not always have one specific meaning, context is one factor that influences people's communication process. People in different generations interpret signs differently, and so are people in various nations with cultural diversity. Therefore, disagreements and conflicts are always seemingly to happen in a society. For that reason, context is a barrier from which prevents any communicators forming effective communication.

Figure 2: Mai Phuong Thuy controversial photoshoot in traditional 'ao dai'.

'Ao dai' has a long history in Vietnam. For generations, it has been the traditional costume for Vietnamese women. It helps them showing their body perfections without making them exposing their bodies. Figure 2 features Mai Phuong Thuy in her traditional 'ao dai'. This photoshoot has created controversy within Vietnamese public owing to many reasons, mostly because of its inappropriate in Vietnamese culture. There are many negative opinions about the photoshoot. In terms of fashion context, 'ao dai' is a symbol of purity. And Mai Phuong Thuy is Miss Vietnam, who represents the beauty of Vietnamese women to the whole world. Therefore, capturing Thuy in a photo with sensitive pose in 'ao dai' is disqualified as artistic but instead, distasteful and offensive.Besides, the fabric used is thinner than the standard of a traditional 'ao dai'. Hence, though the 'ao dai' is said to be stylized, it is unlikely to be relevant to Vietnamese context.

In conclusion, as a future communicator, I realize that in order to deliver suitable messages effectively within cultural contexts, it is important to have sound knowledge about varied codes and cultures.

REFERENCE

Schirato, T. Yell, S. 2000, 'Communication and Culture: An Introduction', 2 edn, Allen & Unwin, N.S.W, Australia.

(RMIT Vietnam - Communication & Social Relations - Reflective Journal)