Chapter Three <Television talk >
Is necessary a sociolinguistic and ethno-methodological analysis and not interdisciplinary as other media
studies: what’s important is not only the text’s meaning but also how this meaning is achieved and
audience’s interpretation of the text.
•<Analytical approach> : the discourse isn’t refer only to the language but must be analyzed also to
the context of communication : discourse is constrained by social structure, class, education ,law ,
social norm and conventions.
•<Conversation analysis> the spontaneous conversation is an organized activity ( turn talking,
adjacency pairs, conflict talk), all pertinent aspect must be analyzed including overlaps, interruptions,
pauses ,laughter, intonation or volume of voice
•<Semiotic analysis> is the study of signs. The meaning of a linguistic sign is completely arbitrary ,
they don’t intrinsically mean of themselves . Concept are defined negatively by their relations with
other sign of the system: their characteristic is being what others are not ( “brown” is not “red” and
not” white”). Signs are more than simple labels, they can be associated with the idea or myth of
something ( computer can be a positive sense : high technology and modernity or in a negative one :
cold and unfeeling society). Signs which produce meanings codes.
•<Cultural-generic analysis> the evolution of media genres reflect not only a change in social
consciousness, but also a new awareness on the part of the audience ( grow of “media literacy”) but
also a more ironic, self-reflexive attitude of broadcaster and audience.
Conclusions : common to all approaches is the strong conviction that meaning is not intrinsic to words, signs
or text but a product of interaction of the linguistic with the social context.
Analysis of three television genres : 1) television news 2) morning show 3) talk show
<Television news> structure similar throughout Western Europe.
•Image of clock = precision and reliability
•Theme music = importance and urgency of the program
•Revolving globe = immediate and complete coverage of news
•News reader behind a desk with sober dress= professionalism, competence, authority and
seriousness.
•Large desk with only a telephone or computer ( behind tv screen or an active newsroom with
reporters)= professionalism, immediacy, reliability of the news program
•Vox pop interviews, int. with experts and television’s correspondent’s version of event = impression
of impartiality
<Evening news>
•Presentation of headlines in syntesis
•Opening title sequence with theme music
•Brief introduction of newsreader to a reporter on location
•Sounds ( noise or bombs) = impression of immediacy and authenticity
•Newsreader read another item ( newsreader perceived as representative of the news institution and
purveyor of truth)
•Information passes through a series of filters
•Newsreader has to speak in the shortest possible time and in a comprehensible form; one way is the
classification of news and grouping of stories in categories.
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