Language in the Media

Exploring the Use of Media and Language in Today’s Society

The English language has massively changed in the media over the last few decades. This has a lot to do with new variations on word and acronyms posted via Facebook, Twitter, Text messaging and many other micro blogs.
When television, print and radio were the mass communication, words were not as widely evolved as they are in today’s society.   Even as they did evolve, it would have taken far longer. It is remarkable how the flexibility of English in moulding and remoulding itself to every format of communication is.
We have also brought foreign language into our every day use of words. Words such as ‘comprende’ (do you understand?) and ‘capiche’ (same meaning). This is used for many reasons, for example, putting your point across and emphasizing that point.
I have compared two forms of media printed for the public eye. These are ‘Heat’ magazine and ‘The Daily Telegraph’ newspaper.
Heat magazine is clearly aimed at teenagers and young adults.   The use of language is shortened and involves a lot of slang to make it an ‘easy read.’ Words such as;   ‘ Aww’   ‘Wag’ ‘J-Lo’ and ‘Fab’ are perceived as ‘cool.’ These type of words encourage already influenced young people (especially teenagers in education) to buy these ‘sorts of magazine’ just so they know what words they ‘should’ be using. Even in the media, people come across peer pressure in what words to use without even realising it, more often than not. Once you are gripped into using this sort of language into everyday use, it can then be eye catching and then can relate to this type of language then be attracted to these magazines. It’s a devious media cycle!
Heat makes good usage of words such as, ‘real’ ‘hating’ ‘unseen’ ‘naked’ ‘stars’ ‘full’ ‘exclusive’ and ‘untold.’ These are all capitalized on the front cover. They are bold, sometimes have a different font, different sizes, followed with an exclamation mark to emphasize the exaggerated...