The Last Stand

And so, I'm down to the last post. There's something about lasts posts that make you all sentimental about the journey that's brought you to it. So let us ponder over this module.

Dear GEK 1036,

1)I never knew there were so many fields of communication. Human interaction is certainly complex that there's a whole field dedicated to it.

2) Culture is never static. Change for progress is a must. But at the same time, we want to remain unique. Uniquely Singapore, uniquely NUS, uniquely me. And that's great because the Internet has not fully made clones of all of us as yet.

3) I was intrigued by the projects my classmates presented. Very interesting, so many areas for future research, so much potential in Singapore.

4) This module has equipped me with skills for communication: How to interpret a written piece in its cultural context, awareness of differences in spoken discourse.
And of course, when I go shopping now, Im going to pay attention to the act sequences over and over again.

5) P.S: With pen and notebook in hand, recording device and transcripts in our back pocket and laptop to record every minute detail of OTHER PEOPLE's lives, let us remember, we did it for a good cause.

Thank you Prof Deng, for equipping us with all these things. One of the most enjoyable modules I've taken so far.

And to my classmates, for being so supportive of this blog, really. I enjoyed reading your posts too. And for making 3 hours on Fri afternoons a bore. Just kidding. Fri afternoons were awesome.

SIGNING OFF,
RYNA

.com

The Internet has altered the way we're connected to the world.
Communication and information is the key to survival via this superhighway. Unfortunately, it has resulted in some dis-benefits to humankind.That is, when we take our interactions to the computer platform more than the face-to-face methods. Don't get me wrong, Facebook, Skype, MSN,Forums, Emails, IVLE are beneficial (In fact, I'm lost if I don't log into at least one of the above per day). The problem that few have highlighted however, are the dis-benefits.

1) The joys of anonymity. From cyber predators to hackers, anything goes online. And we have to be wary, especially with young children as the Internet becomes a way of life. How aware are parents of the threats?

2) Privacy is compromised. With the ever increasing storage of personal data made accessible to others. I refer you to your latest facebook photo album of your night out at Clarke Quay.

3) Email has diminished the value of personal contact. As students of communication studies, the one thing we have realized is that communication is not merely words, they're gestures, expressions, emotions, goals of speech that systemize the way we communicate. With CMC, these frames are changing.

4) The Internet produces couch potatoes. The need to go out and SOCIALIZE? Nah, after this online movie.

5) The Internet is killing our culture. Americanization, now Japanization is sweeping the world. Is there room for the unique ME?

6) Rude comments on youtube. Have you read racist, mean and plain vulgar comments made on youtube? Who would have thought one video could generate so many more opinions than a diplomatic, civilized sit-down session in the UN on that same issue?





7) Finally, you know you're addicted to online communication when:

- You talk to your brother on MSN, when he's in the room next door.
- You email your mother at work about your latest grades.
- You chat with your schoolfriend online incessantly when you've just spent 10hours with that person in school.
-You insist on carrying your laptop ON HOLIDAY to that Phuket beach resort, where you know internet connection means setting up your own antenna.
- When your mom says NO to the above, you use your copy of Lonely Planet,to go HUNTING for an Internet cafe on the dusty streets of India, pay US$2 to use the Internet. For what? To check your email. And then, as a Singaporean, complain about the slow connection.
- You start posting tweets and status updates of EVERY SINGLE ACTIVITY IN THE DAY, hoping to get some responses.
- You post pictures of yourself on facebook, and tag OTHER people under the caption,"Don't you think I look fabulous?"
- Your sole existence is the NUS IVLE and without it, you cannot function. No notes, no announcements from lecturers, no gradebook.


Disclaimer: The author is not responsible for most of the information shared above. Instead, she blames her source of inspiration: the INTERNET.

Men: Mars, Women: Venus?

So, I've been itching to share this video with you. In order to understand the next part of this post, you've got to watch it :)

Mark Gungor: The Tale of Two Brains


Nodding your head, or shaking it? Whichever the case,this video brought up some valuable points for discussion. (Since you've spent 10 mins watching it, we might as well intellectualize it aye?)

1) A Summary:


To some, these are mere stereotypes, but if many men and women tend to exhibit the same qualities, then there must be some truth in them.

In line with the "Difference Theory", because women are wired so differently, it reflects in their communicative style: emotion-based and relationship-based. Whilst men tend to be objective and focus on the information that drives their ideas.( Tannen, 1990).

2) At the risk of sounding sexist, I must make a disclaimer and say that it could go both ways. In today's world, men don't think like men and women unlike women. We have the in-betweens (with gender becoming more of a social construct than a biological one). So, the lines are becoming blurred.

3) In cross-gender communication, I do think that overlaps in conversations of Males and Females may signal more involvement than dominance. Rather than dominance>involvement.

4) Listener Responses in women "yeah" "I agree" "uh-huh" serve to promote solidarity!
It's the "I-sympatize-with-you" mentality that binds women.

5) I wonder why vulgarities are common in men-men conversations but deemed uncouth in men-women conversations? It may be because vulgarities are a sign of un-gentleman-liness when used in front of a lady.

Feel free to comment! I value your personhood.

And here's the JOKE OF THE DAY:

Politeness: What's the Magic Word?

First and foremost, thank you for reading this post. I know you're probably busy with schoolwork and such, what with your accomplished, well-reputed undergraduate record of completing work at the last minute.

However, I must baldly-on record, request, that attention be paid to this post as its particularly close to the heart for 3 reasons:

1) We now understand the mechanics behind "Thank You" and "I'm sorry". Beyond being "magic words", they serve a purpose! You can actually get you what you need if they're employed in the appropriate ways:

For example, "Please pass me the life jacket" when the ship is sinking or "I'm sorry teacher, my dog ate my homework" when you have nothing to submit.

2) More importantly, the politeness maxims, are universally adhered to. For most, the situation is as such:



If that is so, then politeness must be a learned behaviour. Through series of positive reinforcements (rewards) and negative reinforcements (punishments), we have been conditioned to BEHAVE and BE POLITE.

Consider the first time you said "Uncle! Give me chocolate now!" and got a pinch from Mommy and a "Say please!". Or during festive seasons when your Dad patted you on the shoulder and said "Where are your manners? Say hello to so-and-so".
Or as a little kid you went up to someone and said "Hello uncle, where is your hair?". And got scolded for asking such a matter-of-fact question.

The truth is politeness strategies have been ingrained in us from the start. In fact, the practice of them, would be deemed as civilized conduct.

3) What strikes me is cultural context. The Malay woman at the store who says "Sayang, what do you feel like eating today" is establishing a friendship that would probably serve to her benefit when the customer feels welcome, returns more than once and purchases the food. A positive politeness strategy.

or

A telephone call to the boss could start of with "Sorry to disturb you..."
A negative politeness strategy.

These are characteristic in these settings. My question is, "How would you respond if someone were to FLOUT these face management/ politeness maxims?"

Here's one take on it:



More often than not, we respond by being MORE polite. Strange isin't it?

In conclusion, I'm thoroughly pleased that you've read through to the end of this blogpost and as very SMALL token of my appreciation, and HIGH regard for your esteem, this is for you:





Really, its nothing much.

Ryna's Travelogue

Today's post will be in pictures. I hope to highlight 3 reflection points with them.

1) Culture is amazing,being sensitive to it opens the mind to being a global citizen.
2) Perhaps the emphasis on familial ties is greater than we think in both individualistic and collectivitic cultures.
3) "Culture is learned behaviour" as mentioned in the video today. So its interesting to observe what has been passed down to us.

Welcome to Ryna's travelogue:



The spread at my Aunt's house during Hari Raya 09

Food is key in the Malay culture, it is an expression of love by the cook. It's the binding factor in relationships as much is said over a meal. Says my aunt "It's always a joy to cook for the family". I agree. Judging by all the pineapple tarts she fed me that day. She's happy, I'm happy.




Dancing with tribesmen in the Amazon,Peru 2007.

So in the Peruvian lifestyle, things are very laid back. What's the point of rushing things when we can stop to smell the flowers.Music and dance is also important in both formal and informal settings. I never really knew Samba till i Samba-ed in Peru.





With Srey Pich and Srey Na in Lechwat Village Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2009.

In Cambodia,there is great emphasis placed on the family and the village. Everyone knows everyone and bringing up a child is not one single person's job. These orphans are cared for by the community. Respect is also key, indicated by bringing the hands together and bowing to welcome visitors.





Pottery Village, Hanoi, Vietnam 2009.

Vietnam: the land of smiles. Culture is tourism. Their heritage and customs are richly documented and shared with visitors.




Fez, Morroco, 2006

Unfortunately, I didn't take this picture. But it was a common sight when I visited in 2006. The emphasis on interpersonal relationship is great and religion plays a big role in their daily interactions also. For example, our guide insisted on stopping my camel in the middle of the desert to pray as the sun rose.




The family is important in India.




Christian dancers, ETAC Festival of Praise 2009

Even in my religion, Christianity,there is so much multi-culturalism. Both Western and Indian has amalgamated for an interesting mix, seen here in our worship styles.

Finally, to bring across the point that multi-culturalism and communication is pervasive in our lives, here's a pic of my ceylonese(sri-lankan)- chetti melaka (peranakan indian) family, that speaks only English and some Bahasa Melayu with a spattering of Sri Lankan, drinking tea to celebrate chinese new year with my extended chinese uncle's family. I hope I didn't get you befuddled.



With that, in true Singapore style, YAM-SENG!

What are YOU Writing?

DEAR GEK1036,

Re: Written Reflections


On the topic of written discourse, I have 3 points:

1) There must be some truth in all styles of writing (from English linearity--> Oriental Cicularity--> Arabian parallelism). If these styles have been shown to vary consistently across time and space, then they surely serve a purpose in its local literary context


2) Who knew "gentlemanly lotus" and "hermit Chrysanthemum" referred to groups of people not flowers? Unless you know some background to Chinese history or lived in the time of Tao Yuan-ming. What a revelation.

(And there I was thinking "lotus" , "chrysenthemum" and "peony" were women).

In reading any narrative, CONTEXT is important in considering the INTENTION of the piece.

Now that's something to consider the next time you read a Chinese poem from the Qing dynasty or a narrative from the Hindu Mahabhrata. Or listen to the Prime Minister's National Day Speech.


3) With regards rule-governed writing, here's my take on it:






In conclusion, I enjoy your classes and am looking foward to the next one. In addition, I hope to obtain an A grade and a calender. And for this, I thank you in advance.


Regards,
Ryna

Spoken Discourse: Analysing Your Chit-Chat Over Coffee

I'll keep it simple today cos' the New Years' steamboat and yu sheng is already out on the table screaming "Eat me! Eat me!". And the aroma of festive food is making my fingers type faster than usual.

Yes, I celebrate Chinese New Year too :) Interesting huh.



POINT ONE: Phone conversations

I was thinking as Dr Deng was speaking, it all depends on the INTENTION of our conversation.
If I were to call A, intending to chit-chat over good ol' times, I'd probably engage in a long preamble over the weather or "How are you's?".

On the flipside, if my intention to call A is to deliver an important msg. Then I'll cut straight to the point. That's the case with emergency calls to 999 (they're really rule-governed!)


POINT TWO: Listener Responses

Are really important as channels of feedback. I was talking to a friend from Nigeria over lunch and he actually repeated the same sentence twice, just because I didnt any feedback (ie, nod my head, say uh-huh, uhm). Only when I nodded and said "Yeah, that's true" did he accept it as an appropriate response.







POINT THREE: CHILDREN's STORY BOOKS

How many English/Chinese/Tamil/Malay story books did you read as a kid?
Looking back at some of the popular series of our generation, they definately do follow typically English or typically Asian narratives.

Im not essentializing works here, but the way we write today (let's say in the picture-narratives or pearfilm), is largely influenced by what we read as a kid.

Does the thief learn a lesson or does he go away scot free? Is there retribution for the bully? What do the children learn from this?

Really, cultural values are passed down from generation to generation and storytelling is one important MEDIUM by which its done!






YOU! yes YOU! DO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLL BELOW.
The question : How would you respond to "Ok, I have to go now" ?