Reporting Language Differences in the Olympics Based on Gender

Sadly, the media still perpetuates gender stereotypes. As we watched the morning news Olympic coverage of Lindsay Vaughn and Julia Mancuso, it was unfortunately evident that the announcers were more interested in their “emotional states” than in their skiing abilities. The previous evening, Vaughn crashed during a ski run and Mancuso was stopped mid-run. Mancuso was extremely disappointed and the media caught her shedding some tears after her run was stopped. The next day the announcers were talking about how there was a “cat-fight” between the two skiers and things were “icy” between them rather than focusing on the disappointment each of them faced after years of training. Even Mancuso stated that she was frustrated with the media attention on their relationship rather than on the actual skiing. She posted on her Facebook page, “Save the drama for your mama.”

However, announcers covered a male athlete’s reaction in another sport differently. When Kramer lost his bid for Olympic gold due to an illegal lane change in speed skating, he also had an emotional reaction to his circumstances captured on camera. NBC reports on the website used very specific language, “kicked a lane divider in anger” and “an agitated Kramer took out his frustrations on his coach,” to describe his physical reaction to losing. No announcer said, “Kramer had a hissy fit after realizing the mistake.” No one talked about his tears or his "emotional state." His actions were reported in factual, rather than emotional language.

Additionally, during some of the NBC coverage of the women’s skiing, a female reporter continuously referred to the female athletes as “girls.” Not once did we hear a reporter refer to male athletes as “boys.”

Athletes perform at their physical best during Olympic competition. Why can’t announcers rise to the same level of excellence in their reporting?

Acquaintance vs. E-quaintance

The role of interpersonal communication in our society is changing as quickly as the population itself is shifting. For decades, interpersonal relationships have involved various senses such as sight, smell, and sound but that experience is evaporating as technology envelops the country. The generation of Americans under the age of 50 are comfortable sharing personal information with people they've never met except on a visual screen as they type/text the exchange. However, Americans over the age of 50 are still comfortable developing relationships with the physical presence of the other person(s). Our country is nearly evenly split culturally by those who enjoy the company of others and those who prefer to communicate with a key pad. One fact is certain, the above 50 age group is fading and the below 50 age group is advancing with technology to control the future.

Interpersonal communication models need major updating to include the digital age and how human interaction is changing. Hall's often quoted "social distance" theories are a thing of the past since private, public and group communication is currently completed on a handheld device. Obviously, we are in a transitional time where generations need to understand the comfort level of each other by using appropriate interpersonal communication to make a point. But, the baby boomers are retiring and the control of political, business, religious and social views will be in the hands of people who can manipulate language on the screen directly in the palm of your hand. Who are these E-quaintances? It's a great question to keep asking yourself as you evolve with virtual communication. --HPT

What’s in a Name?

I received an email from a student the other day to notify me of an absence. The email began, “Hello Sue.” I was a little taken aback since I had not invited students to call me by my first name, nor do we have a campus where that is common.

In a culture where students think anything goes, I feel it is my duty as a teacher to turn even small errors into a learning moment. I could have written something nasty. Or ignored it. I’ve heard of some professors who blow up when titles are used improperly. However, I chose to think there was no disrespect intended.

I simply replied with the following, “Thanks for letting me know about your absence. Just in case you aren’t aware, it is customary to address your professors by their titles unless they instruct you otherwise. –Dr. Young”

One more communication error corrected, three hundred million more to go. ---KSY

Start with Self

Our textbook uses an intrapersonal communication focus to assist students in understanding why they say the things they do as well as behave the way they do nonverbally. Recognizing how their fundamental nature inserts itself into interpersonal and group communication situations allows them to make better career choices. In addition, it helps them to accept responsibility for their actions.

Professional credibility is based on the concept that the individual can make excellent communication decisions in diverse settings. Students need to develop a desire to feel comfortable as they find themselves in these diverse cultural situations. By being comfortable with who they are and knowing how to adapt to new environments, students are more confident to confront the future enthusiastically. Global business needs young people who adapt quickly to change while retaining their "hometown" uniqueness. --HPT

Textbook Costs

Are you concerned about textbook prices? You should be! A $50 or $60 dollar difference per book for 15 credits can mean a $300 difference in student costs per semester. Most oral communication books cost around $100 each. Do you stop to consider cost as you select the books for your class?

Howard and I decided years ago that we wanted to bring an affordable text to our students that still contained all of the essential information for teaching Oral Communication. We were fortunate to find a publisher, Waveland Press, who has the same philosophy. You won’t find cartoons, color photos, infotrac packages or DVD’s in our book. These extra items inflate costs exponentially, and we find that we don’t use them and our students don’t either.

Oral Communication: Skills, Choices, and Consequences will provide you with everything you need to teach the essential communication concepts that students need to know. And at $22.95, your students will love the fact that you didn’t ask them to break the bank for a general education requirement.

Order your free review copy today and check us out.

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog for Oral Communication: Skills, Choices, and Consequences! If you are using our textbook, we thank you, and hope you have found yourself enjoying our writing style and inexpensive prices for students.

If you aren't using our text, this blog will be a place for you to get to know us and read about thoughts and ideas for enhancing the classroom for your oral communication class.

We hope you'll enjoy the journey here!