TOPIC: ISSUE74 - "The most effective way to communicate an idea or value to large groups of people is through the use of images, not language." Images or language--Which is a better way to communicate among large groups of people? The speaker prefers the former. However, in my opinion, whether we should rely on images or language to present our ideas and value to various people, we must decide on an case-by-case analysis: in some respects images is better, in certain other respects langue(language) outweigh(the former), while in more circumstances synergy is a wise choice.The implicit rationale behind the speaker's statement has considerable merit, in three respects. First, for the purpose of describing and conveying temporal, spatial process of events and experiences, images generally provide a more accurate and clear detail than language. Imagine, what great efforts would a person do , no matter how keen an observer and skilled a informer, to recount in complete and objective facets of such events as a symphony directed by Czajkowski, or the wining touchdown at the Super Bowl, or a sham battle scene, which can be easily demonstrated by images? Second, we should note the fact that language is, after all, a product of our human brains, which tend to be decided by the speakers to filter information in order to appeal to the listeners, or to preset their own values. As for the images, it is relatively objective and accurate in describing a mere fact. Third, it exists the possibility that certain concept and knowledge can not be conveyed by language but only images. For example, those complex and abstruse thermal or quantum equations, which are impossible for anyone to clearly express by mouth, are often described in certain math symbols and images in our daily education. However, in certain other respects, language has some advantages that images are short of. One case is that images are of no practical use in conveying the terms of a complex contractual agreement, an incorporation, or the establishment of a trust. That is, images are of little use when it comes to communicating a person's subjective state of mind, impression, or reflections of an event or experience. A politician could not depend on images to express his or her ideas on politics to populace; a entrepreneur could not rely on images to show his or her approval or disapproval. Another case is that when it comes to the efficiency and conveniency , communication by the language is far more feasible. After all, language do not break, and it do not depend on electricity, batteries, or access to airwaves or cable connections--all of which may or may not be available in communication in a given place among people.Further, these two means are not excluded, and synergy is a much more effective and efficient path to communicate among large group of people. In the education realm, such methods have been overwhelmingly used by teachers in the teaching progress. For example, when we learn physics in the class, we could get direct and convincing knowledge from images from the PPT to have the general understanding about the process, and get direct comprehension of the phenomena by the speaking of teacher. If we have problems in some aspects, we can ask the teacher immediately without any confine in instruments.To sum up, images and language both have merits in specific aspects. In the final analysis, the optimal approach is to use both language to keep us informed at short notice by provide(providing) insight and perspective , along with the images to accurately and convincingly demonstrate the fact. |