Words and Language usedin Broadcasting Pertemuan 17 – 18

Matakuliah : O0394 – Teknik Reportase dan News CasterTahun : 2010

Learning Objectives

This section will discuss the kind of words and the

language that must be used during broadcasting. During

the lecture, it is expected that the students will

understand why such words and language must be

avoided or must be obeyed.

It is also expected that students will understand that

there are rules on the words and the language and the

act of breaking the rules will obtain certain penalty. 3

Words… Words… Words… (1/8) As for the name ‘broadcast’, the word means the

distribution of audio and/or video signals which transmit

programs to audience. The audience may be the general

public or a relatively large sub-audience, such as children or

young adults.

The use of words depends on the media that broadcast the

program.

There are the don’ts and the dos.

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Words… Words… Words… (1/4)

What are the requirements of words used in building

sentences for broadcasting purpose?

Soren H Munhoff stated: “… exact, simple, clear, and

believable.”

According to Fang (1971): “… avoid the use of more than 20

words in a sentence.”

John Hohenberg (1958): “… right words, right grammar.”

Use active instead of passive words;

Use efficient words;

Use non-technical words and terms. 5

Words… Words… Words… (2/4) Example of sentences that meet the easy-listening formula (ELF) and the use of active

words:

a. “That’s news for today. We will be back at 21:00 for the World News.”

b. “The Government of Indonesia yesterday awarded the farmers in Boyolali (Central Java)

for their efforts to improve their farming techniques.”

c. “Fire that blazed 150 houses in Semarang (Central Java) last night had caused hundred

of people lost their shelters and families. That’s the report from our reporter on the

spot.”

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Words… Words… Words… (3/4)

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Example on the use of efficient words means that if the

unnecessary words are eliminated then the elimination will

not change the meaning:

Inefficient: “She was born in Jakarta city on the month of

October at the day 15th 1988.”

Efficient: “She was born in Jakarta on October 15 1988.”

Words… Words… Words… (4/4)

Example on the use of non-technical words and terms :

“Due to bad weather, the pilot of DC-9 used the

instrument flight (one of flying techniques known by

the pilot).

The use of technical words and terms is allowed only if

the words and terms are followed with the word

explanation.

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Words… The Don’ts (1/7)Are there ‘the don’ts’ words during broadcasting?

1.Forget the naughty words

The idea that naughty words are more horrible than

missing the opportunity to save lives is a strange

combination of values;

The words were considered highly inappropriate and

unsuitable for broadcast on the public airwaves all over

the world, whether radio or television.

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Words… The Don’ts (2/7)2.FCC Chairman Michael Powell said the

decisions were simply intended to signal that

"vulgar language" will no longer be tolerated

on the nation's airwaves.

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Words… The Don’ts (3/7)For example:

Most of the FCC's precedent-shattering moves were included in a

decision confronting an agency staff ruling that held that rock star

Bono's use of the expression, "F***ing brilliant," on NEC's broadcast of

last year's Golden Globes Awards had not run afoul of indecency

prohibitions.

(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index

=0&did=595817761&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType

=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1263428345&clientId=68814)

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Words… The Don’ts (4/7)3. Blasphemy or divine curse are considered as highly

offensive as the 'F-word’.

What is that?

An indignity offered to God in words, writing, or signs;

impiously irreverent words or signs addressed to, or used

in reference to, God; speaking evil of God; also, the act of

claiming the attributes or prerogatives of deity.

(http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/B/63)

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Words… The Don’ts (5/7)

Is ‘blasphemy’ really one of the ‘to-avoid’ kind of words?

Yes…

It is a violation of federal law to air obscene programming at

any time;

It is a violation of federal law to air indecent programming;

It is also a prohibition of federal law to use profane

language during certain hours.

(http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html)

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Words… The Don’ts (6/7)4. Racial stereotyping or racial labeling is passé, buddy!

A stereotype is a commonly held public belief about specific

social groups, or types of individuals. The concepts of

"stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many

other different meanings. Stereotypes are standardized and

simplified conceptions of groups, based on some prior

assumptions.

A stereotype can be considered 'positive', or 'negative'.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Stereotype#Racial_and_ethnic_stereotyping) 14

Words… The Don’ts (7/7)For example:

Whether Asian, Latino, Arab, Black, or White, we're all just people whose

diverse and individual characters cannot be justly described by broad and

sweeping racial terms. It's time to come together as One Coalition of

Asian, Latino, Arab, Black, and White (Not of Hispanic Origin) people to

demand the end of stifling racial labeling and the ethnic divisions it

inspires!

(Taken from Facebook: The Asian, Latino, Arab, Black, and White

Coalition against Racial Labeling)

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Rules of Words in Broadcasting (1/2)

Are there rules to the use of “the don’ts” words or

language during broadcasting?

Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

“Obscene, Indecent, Profane Words: Yes, It’s Against

the Law!”

(http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html)

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Rules of Words in Broadcasting (2/2)

Are there penalties for broadcasting companies

who break the law?

Congress has given the Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) the responsibility for

administratively enforcing these laws. The FCC may

revoke a station license, impose a monetary forfeiture,

or issue a warning if a station airs obscene, indecent,

or profane material.17

How About the Language? (1/8)

What are the characteristics of (proper)

language that must be used in broadcasting?

Formal language

Informal language

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How About the Language? (2/8)

Formal Language

Right and grammatically correct;

Usually used by newsreader, newscaster, and anchor;

Example on the use of formal language in broadcasting:

a.“The Government of Indonesia awarded a farmer, Amin,

in Sumedang.”

b.“Shrimp have become the most potential commodity in

East Java.”

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How About the Language? (3/8)Informal Language

According to Julian Harris, Kelly Letter and Stanley Johnson (1985: 21):

“Two importance writing techniques mark the difference between news

prepared for radio and television and that written for newspapers. One

is the construction of sentences and the other is the informal language

used. Newscast writers tend to write as people informally and with

familiar words. The sentences are short, simple, straight to the point,

with emphasis upon ending. Complex words and sentences are

avoided… “

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How About the Language? (4/8)So, are there characteristics for informal language as well?

Right and (not necessarily) grammatically correct;

Usually used by reporters when they provide live news;

There are important issues in conveying the informal language:

a. informal sentence structure and the use of simple words;

b. the use the ELF to enable the audiences listen and understand

easily;

c. not onto the very detail messages since the news only takes

seconds for the audience to watch.

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How About the Language? (5/8)

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Example of the use of informal language in broadcasting:

a. “Again, the fire blazes hundred of houses in Semarang.”

b. “Amin, profile of the lucky farmer in Sumedang, …”

c. “The fire cracker ‘party’ celebrating the New Year’s eve

2010 that was conducted on the exact 23:59 o’clock near

Bengawan Solo river bank attracted about 23, 150

spectators… “

How About the Language? (6/8)

The use of informal language can also be in the

form of ‘changing’ the noun into adjective:

“Jakarta is over-polluted now.”

Change into:

“The over-pollution of Jakarta has been the most

main consideration for the tourists to visit the city.”

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How About the Language? (7/8)

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How the language ‘presented’ into news text:

Anchor/ Newscaster:

“The blazed in Semarang that destroyed hundred of

houses had increased the death toll from 29 to 60 people.

It is noted that 215 families lost their shelters and they are

now in badly need of food, clothing, and place to sleep

during the nights. Here are our reporter from the spot:…

How About the Language? (8/8)

Reporter:

“… Again, the blaze in Semarang. This time a

crowded neighborhood is the target. The fire

started from a blown up stove in the house

of the Sulaiman as witness said …”

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Closing

At the end of this discussion, it is expected that the students will

be able to compose a good sentence using the right words with

the right sentence structure.

It will be very much better if students have the mastery in

grammar of the language they used when writing the news

scripts.

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