Q&A
1. Reaction to thinking about texts (images, pieces of writing, research publications, etc.) as always situated, as always part of histories that occur in conversations?
My reaction to thinking about texts is of an open-minded nature. Having studied the nature of marketing and advertising, for example, has always made me aware of how texts are used to not only communicate with the audience but also to manipulate their perceptions. Another example, the apartheid political era produced texts that hid the true events and the effects of apartheid in South Africa. People around the world did not know the deep damage and the seriousness of apartheid in South Africa because the media was manipulated to report only what the South African apartheid government wanted to be known to the world.
2. Does this change my thinking about texts?
What I have learnt over the years about texts has changed my perspective about certain authors and/or media houses. However, my perspective about texts, per se, has not necessarily changed because I believe that texts are mere tools which the author uses to communicate.
3. Confirming how I think about texts
Texts are means to an end. People use texts to translate their thoughts into a message that the intended audience is able to dissect and understand.
4. Explaining the above
Politics in South Africa have always been an important topic due to inequalities and unfairness to which its people are subjected. The government, for example, used texts to manipulate the system, change people’s perspectives, obscure justice, and influence maldistribution of wealth.
5. How might thinking about situated texts affect how I compose own texts?
Thinking about situated texts inspires me as an author to match the audience to the meaning. This also raises awareness regarding the intention of the texts for the audience, which in this research project is the governmental bodies in South Africa.
6. Will it affect my own texts as per point 5.?
Absolutely. It will raise mindfulness in how I deal with my audience and how they may perceive the intention of the research.
7. Why (refer to point 5 & 6)?
The South African apartheid and political history play a key important role in this research; thus, the use of its history and texts is vital for the total reception of the results. For example, I will show the impact of apartheid texts in today's Black graduates' lives and the lack of employment opportunities thereof.
1. Reaction to thinking about texts (images, pieces of writing, research publications, etc.) as always situated, as always part of histories that occur in conversations?
My reaction to thinking about texts is of an open-minded nature. Having studied the nature of marketing and advertising, for example, has always made me aware of how texts are used to not only communicate with the audience but also to manipulate their perceptions. Another example, the apartheid political era produced texts that hid the true events and the effects of apartheid in South Africa. People around the world did not know the deep damage and the seriousness of apartheid in South Africa because the media was manipulated to report only what the South African apartheid government wanted to be known to the world.
2. Does this change my thinking about texts?
What I have learnt over the years about texts has changed my perspective about certain authors and/or media houses. However, my perspective about texts, per se, has not necessarily changed because I believe that texts are mere tools which the author uses to communicate.
3. Confirming how I think about texts
Texts are means to an end. People use texts to translate their thoughts into a message that the intended audience is able to dissect and understand.
4. Explaining the above
Politics in South Africa have always been an important topic due to inequalities and unfairness to which its people are subjected. The government, for example, used texts to manipulate the system, change people’s perspectives, obscure justice, and influence maldistribution of wealth.
5. How might thinking about situated texts affect how I compose own texts?
Thinking about situated texts inspires me as an author to match the audience to the meaning. This also raises awareness regarding the intention of the texts for the audience, which in this research project is the governmental bodies in South Africa.
6. Will it affect my own texts as per point 5.?
Absolutely. It will raise mindfulness in how I deal with my audience and how they may perceive the intention of the research.
7. Why (refer to point 5 & 6)?
The South African apartheid and political history play a key important role in this research; thus, the use of its history and texts is vital for the total reception of the results. For example, I will show the impact of apartheid texts in today's Black graduates' lives and the lack of employment opportunities thereof.