Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COML 595
there was a need to understand the world before I could try to make a positive change. The study
of communication theory has provided me with the tools and analysis needed not only to better
understand the issues around me, but to help effect positive change as well. The theories and
traditions we studied, such as the socio-cultural tradition provided me with a framework to use in
better understanding the world (and the interactions within it). These theories and more have
proven integral to my analysis and understanding of the hidden messages and influences in
interpersonal and mass communication, elucidating not only strategies to better communicate on
The socio-cultural tradition of communication theory posits that we both create and
reinforce our own reality and culture through our use of language (Griffin, 2012, p. 43). While I
dont definitively agree with Sapir-Whorfs hypothesis that language is a solely influential aspect
dictating how people think and feel (Griffin, 2012, p.43), I do believe that our language has the
power to influence our understanding of reality, especially in its power in maintaining structures
interactions to ensure that we are not just reinforcing negative stereotypes, supporting incorrect
assumptions of power, and perpetuating inequity. One such example of the power of language to
support individuals as opposed to perpetuating inequity is the correct use of preferred pronouns.
As someone who is cisgender, Ive never struggled with the issue of people incorrectly referring
to my gender, and it was in a conversation with a close friend of mine who is gender non-
conforming just how disempowering it can be when people refuse to acknowledge and refer to
them by their preferred pronoun. It exemplifies how language is inherently structured to privilege
some and disempower others. By better understanding these hidden facets of language and
David Foster Wallace once gave a commencement speech at Kenyon College entitled,
This is water. In this speech Wallace talks about choosing what to think and how to interpret
events and interactions, highlighting that we have the power to decide how to interpret things, it
just takes awareness and mindfulness. Wallace states, It is about simple awareness
awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to
keep reminding ourselves, over and over: This is water, this is water. (Wallace, 2009). The
tools and strategies that I learned in this course kept bringing me back to his speech and my
belief that it is up to us to use communication to understand and shape our interactions. I feel like
this is imperative in using communication to foster good relationships and actions. When
speaking with an upset student at my work, I can choose to be frustrated and blame them for
their bad attitude, responding in kind or I can choose to think about where they are coming from,
what may be influencing their interaction, whether it be a sleepless night, stress about work, or
can try to effect social change by positively interacting with those around me. By cobbling
together the bits and pieces of the communication theories and traditions we studied, I feel as
social change.
References
Griffin, Em. (2014). A first look at communication theory. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher
Education.
Wallace, D. F., & Kenyon College. (2009). This is water: Some thoughts, delivered on a
significant occasion about living a compassionate life. New York: Little, Brown.