Written and Spoken Language - Assignment Example

Written and Spoken Language There is often a large degree of difference between news items that are sent to the public in printed form as opposed to related via an announcer on television or over the radio airwaves. Even when the news is the same, a comparison of the pieces can be vastly different based not only upon the different viewpoints of the reporters and stations involved, but also because of the inherent natures of the medium through which is it delivered. Whereas television and radio can depend to some degree upon the vocal inflections and body language of the announcers providing the news, written reports must provide clear language and avoid colloquialisms. Even when existing within the same genre of reporting, the differences between delivery types often dictate the way in which a report is written, including the various ways in which language is used to indicate the type of information contained, its identification as a formal or informal report, the means by which it is intended to be transmitted and the ways in which the information is strung together. The best way to understand the differences imposed by the delivery method is by comparing two different news reports, both covering the same topic, but distributing through differing media to a relatively comparable audience. In this type of comparison, one is able to look at the ways in which the report communicates its genre, how the text appears different from written to oral reporting, how the transitions change from one form to another and how the register, or tone, of the piece can change based upon the supposed audience style. Breaking news on the morning of September 10 focused upon the near shut-down of all UK airports in response to the discovery of a terrorist plot to detonate bombs on airliners while in flight. The CNN News report, aired around the world through various television channels and radio stations, immediately allowed audiences to identify the story as belonging to the genre of serious world news from the very first utterance by Robin Oakley. This is denoted by the carefully neutral tone of voice in which the report is delivered as well as the immediate introduction of “Home Secretary John Reid”, the very first words of the report. Although there is a touch to the light side, with the concept of people digesting their breakfasts, the introduction to the piece is kept as small and tightly contained as possible and the report shifts almost immediately to the words of the Home Secretary himself. In this and in other aspects, the story follows the classic characteristics of an important news story. It relies almost exclusively upon official statements from officially recognized individuals directly associated with the news item and it provides very little in the way of discussion or analysis of the situation, sticking primarily to the facts of the case and the implications those facts might have upon the viewing or listening public. In addition to its short length, consisting of approximately one minute of airtime, this piece harbours several textual indicators that identify it as having been written primarily for audio delivery, whether it be through television or radio. One of these textual references, already given, is that of the opening line referring to the Britons digesting their breakfasts. Delivered in a strictly written format, this statement could be considered somewhat off-beat, but delivered verbally by the reporter, it is a way of giving the story a humanistic, life-affirming aspect that is otherwise lost in the frightening story of a series of airliners that came almost too close to being destroyed in flight. The text to be delivered verbally also contains few longer sentences as could almost be considered run-on sentences when delivered in verbal form, although grammatically correct in written form. An example of this can be heard as the reporter takes up the story again following John Reid’s prepared statement: “Police disclosed that more than 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a scheme to blow up airliners en route to the United States, possibly with some kind of liquid explosive.” Because of this tendency for longer sentences to lose their meanings when delivered verbally, most of the sentences included in the report remain quite short, such as “Even books, papers and handbags will have to go in the hold.” Rather than taking up valuable airtime with unnecessary chatter, transitions in verbal reports such as these rely more upon graphics to help ease understanding than further explanation. Although these kind of visual clues are not evident in the text of the transcript, they become almost apparent when reading it through. Sudden shifts to a new voice suggest a new focus to the camera angle, in this case, correctly so as each individual other than the reporter appears on screen in full media relations setting. Transitions consist of only very brief introductions at best: “The transport secretary acknowledged the chaos this would cause.” Likewise, the bulleted list that the mind conjours as the reporter discusses the various items that are now allowed to be carried onto the plane is a reality in the video version. Finally, although the tone of voice presented in the video form of this report indicates a very serious breaking news story, there remains a degree of interpersonal connection in the register not necessarily present in reports intended to be distributed in written form. Indications of this exist in the text as well, primarily in the explanatory phrases that accompany released lists of approved items: “spectacles but not their cases, prescription medicines though not in liquid form … baby foods and milk though the accompanying adult will be made to taste some of the milk.” Contributing to the serious nature of the news, the report both starts and ends on a rather abrupt note, jumping almost immediately to the words of the Home Secretary to start and ending nearly as quickly with a brief note about the actions of world leaders such as Tony Blair and George Bush. The same news story, geared for print publication, was found distributed through the Associated Press and Excite.com. Like the audio report, the printed news immediately establishes itself as belonging to the hard news genre by immediately jumping into the focus of its topic: “British authorities said Thursday they thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft heading to the US using explosives smuggled in carry-on luggage.” Like the television news report, the printed report takes on the classic characteristics of a news story, introducing the topic immediately and as completely as possible within the space given, sticking primarily to the facts available and only including conjecture when it is provided by the official authorities. Unlike the television report, there is no attempt to make the report seem more humanistic or conversational. The closest the written report comes to establishing a human connection with its readers is at the tail end of the report when passengers directly and immediately affected by the changes were quoted. Perhaps one of the most telling details of the text to distinguish it as being prepared for print rather than television broadcast can be found in the simple length of the document. Typed out, the transcript for the news report spans almost one page while the text for the written report extends over three or more pages. In addition, the text for the written report contains several sentences that reach multiple line length: “Police arrested 21 people, saying they were confident they captured the main suspects in what US officials said was a plot in its final phases that had all the earmarks of an al-Qaida operation.” Likewise, the words used in the story reach greater length and complexity: “major international aviation hub” and “intended to simultaneously target multiple planes.” These longer lengths, in both sentences and words, denote the concept that the report is meant to be read, giving the audience greater time and ability to decipher lengthier thoughts and giving the reporter room and encouragement to use words that most accurately describe the action. Although it might be assumed that a written document would have greater cohesion than a verbal document, it is perhaps because of the very limited space in which they have to report that the verbal document turns out to be the better connected. The written version of the story, because it has more space to report, is able to include a great deal more information, presenting an organizational problem that is not quite completely worked out in all cases. For example, although the report is talking about a major counterterrorism operation in Britain, a great deal of information is added in regarding measures taken in the United States as well as several other events that may or may not have been connected: “police were evacuating homes in High Wycombe … near one of the houses being searched” and “In the mid-1990s, officials foiled a plan by terrorist mastermind Ramzi Youssef to blow up 12 Western jetliners simultaneously over the Pacific. The alleged plot involved improvised bombs using liquid hidden in contact lens solution containers.” Also unlike the verbal version of the story, the written form is never allowed to veer away from the strictly official stance, creating a serious register that is never allowed to swerve to the lighthearted. By using terms such as “extreme measures”, several instances mentioned of officials speaking “on condition of anonymity”, “mass murder on an unimaginable scale” and “police patrolled platforms with bomb-sniffing dogs as passengers boarded trains carrying clear plastic bags,” the report continuously works to reinforce the serious nature of its news and imbue the story with a sense of sobriety and immediate import. The only time at which the report is allowed to reach a somewhat lighthearted note is in the inclusion of a few quotes from potential passengers waiting at airports that are included as an almost too-obvious attempt to relieve the fears of the reading public: “We’re safe, we’re OK, … Now my daughter is going to get a shopping trip in London,” “Eight hours without an iPod, that’s the most inconvenient thing” and “Why should I change my life because some idiots want to blow something up?” By comparing these two types of news reports, one from the television and one from the print/internet news services, one can begin to track the common genre characteristics such as serious tone and general format, but still notice significant differences in the way in which they are presented. Both reports depend upon an almost exclusive reporting of facts and official statements and concentrate on getting the greatest portion of the hard facts out as quickly as possible. While the television news source is forced to keep the report short and completely to the point, the printed version is able to bring in tangentially related stories that serve to broaden the subject but also break down some of the cohesion of the story. While the television version is able to appeal to the human nature of both the announcer and the audience, the written version is only able to do this as a closing measure, never including material that might be misconstrued without the body language and vocal inflection necessary to communicate the lighthearted nature of the associated comment. The differences inherent in the media designed to carry the message may not immediately indicate a shift in the focus and detail of the news being presented, but closer inspection reveals a vast difference in the news that is conveyed. Appendix A – CNN News Broadcast aired September 10, AM Robin Oakley, CNN: Home Secretary John Reid, Britain’ Interior Minister, gave the stark news of what could have been one of the country’s most damaging terrorist attack ever as Britons digested their breakfasts. John Reid, British Home Secretary: Overnight, the police, with the full knowledge of ministers, have carried out a major counterterrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the United Kingdom and international partners. The police, acting with security service MI5, are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed. Oakley: Police disclosed that more than 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a scheme to blow up airliners en route to the United States, possibly with some kind of liquid explosive. The MI5 Web site revealed that the UK security alert level had been upgraded in the early hours from severe to the highest possible level of critical, implying the threat of an immediate attack. Unprecedented security measures, far more extreme than those applied after 9/11, were rapidly imposed on all flights from UK airports, including the banning of all hand baggage. Under the new restrictions, passengers are not allowed to carry on cameras, laptops or electrical items. All liquids, including duty-free items, will be taken from travelers. Even books, papers and handbags will have to go in the hold. The only things allowed to be carried on flights will be pocket-sized wallets and purses, travel documents and keys, spectacles but not their cases, prescription medicines though not in liquid form, female sanitary items and baby foods and milk though the accompanying adult will be made to taste some of the milk. The transport secretary acknowledged the chaos this would cause. Douglas Alexander, British Transport Secretary: This step has been taken to ensure maximum security on all flights so people can go ahead with their travel arrangements. However, ensuring maximum security unfortunately will involve immediate and severe disruption for passengers with significant delays likely at all UK airports. Oakley: The new measures, one step short of shutting UK airports, were designed to keep the planes flying. But the increased security, with extra searches of those flying to the US, rapidly led to passenger and traffic build-up that prompted some European airports to cancel all flights to London. The British Airport Authority was soon appealing to passengers to stay away unless their journey was absolutely necessary. Meantime, Tony Blair, the UK Prime Minister, on holiday in the Caribbean, briefed President George W. Bush overnight and the US, too, immediately upgraded its own security alert rating. Robin Oakley, CNN, London. Appendix B – Associated Press News Article distributed through Excite.com Foiled Plot Brings New Security, Delays Aug 10, 12:22 PM (ET) By DANICA KIRKA LONDON (AP) - British authorities said Thursday they thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft heading to the U.S. using explosives smuggled in carry-on luggage. Security was raised to its highest level in Britain, and carry-on luggage was banned on all flights. Huge crowds backed up at London's Heathrow airport as officials searching for explosives barred nearly every form of liquid outside of baby formula. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the terrorists planned to use liquid explosives disguised as beverages and other common products and set them off with detonators disguised as electronic devices. The extreme measures at a major international aviation hub sent ripples throughout the world. Heathrow was closed to most flights from Europe, and British Airways canceled all its flights between the airport and points in Britain, Europe and Libya. Numerous flights from U.S. cities to Britain were canceled. Washington raised its threat alert to its highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States amid fears the plot had not been completely crushed. The alert for all flights coming or going from the United States was also raised slightly. Two U.S. counterterrorism officials said the terrorists had targeted United, American and Continental airlines. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. Police arrested 21 people, saying they were confident they captured the main suspects in what U.S. officials said was a plot in its final phases that had all the earmarks of an al-Qaida operation. A U.S. intelligence official said the plotters had hoped to target flights to major airports in New York, Washington and California. British Home Secretary John Reid said the 21 people were arrested in London, its suburbs and Birmingham following a lengthy investigation, including the alleged "main players" in the plot. Searches continued in a number of locations. The British Broadcasting Corp. said police were evacuating homes in High Wycombe, a town 30 miles northwest of London, near one of the houses being searched. Police refused to confirm the report or to discuss any details of the searches. President Bush said during a visit to Green Bay, Wis., that the foiled plot was a "stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists." Despite increased security since Sept. 11, he warned, "It is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America." While British officials declined to publicly identify the 21 suspects, French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said in Paris that they "appear to be of Pakistani origin." He did not give a source for his description, but said French officials had been in close contact with British authorities. The suspects were "homegrown," though it was not immediately clear if they were all British citizens, said a British police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. Police were working closely with the South Asian community, the official said. The official said the plotters intended to simultaneously target multiple planes bound for the United States. "We think this was an extraordinarily serious plot and we are confident that we've prevented an attempt to commit mass murder on an unimaginable scale," Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson said. Prime Minister Tony Blair, vacationing in the Caribbean, briefed Bush on the situation overnight. Blair issued a statement praising the cooperation between the two countries, saying it "underlines the threat we face and our determination to counter it." White House spokesman Tony Snow said Bush also had been briefed by his aides while at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he has been on vacation. "We do believe the plot involved flights from the U.K. to the U.S. and was a direct threat to the United States," Snow said. While Snow called the plot a serious threat, he assured Americans that "it is safe to travel." Chertoff, the homeland security chief, said the plot had the hallmarks of an operation planned by al-Qaida, the terrorist group behind the Sept. 11 attack on the United States. "It was sophisticated, it had a lot of members and it was international in scope. It was in some respects suggestive of an al-Qaida plot," Chertoff said, but he cautioned it was too early in the investigation to reach any conclusions. It is the first time the red alert level in the Homeland Security warning system has been invoked, although there have been brief periods in the past when the orange level was applied. Homeland Security defines the red alert as designating a "severe risk of terrorist attacks." "We believe that these arrests (in London) have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted," Chertoff said. He added, however, there was no indication of current plots within the United States. Chertoff said the plotters were in the final stages of planning. "We were really getting quite close to the execution phase," he said, adding that it was unclear if the plot was linked to the upcoming fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. A senior U.S. counterterrorism official said authorities believe dozens of people - possibly as many as 50 - were involved in the plot. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The plan involved airline passengers hiding masked explosives in carry-on luggage, the official said. "They were not yet sitting on an airplane," but were very close to traveling, the official said, calling the plot "the real deal." Passengers in Britain faced delays as tighter security was hastily enforced at the country's airports and additional measures were put in place for all flights. Laptop computers, mobile phones, iPods, and remote controls were among the items banned from being carried on board. Liquids, such as hair care products, were also barred on flights in both Britain and the U.S. In the mid-1990s, officials foiled a plan by terrorist mastermind Ramzi Youssef to blow up 12 Western jetliners simultaneously over the Pacific. The alleged plot involved improvised bombs using liquid hidden in contact lens solution containers. Huge lines formed at ticket counters and behind security barriers at Heathrow and other airports in Britain. Ed Lappen, 55, a businessman from Boston, who was traveling with his wife and daughter to Russia, found himself unable to travel further. "We're safe, we're OK," he said at Heathrow. "Now my daughter is going to get a shopping trip in London." Hannah Pillinger, 24, seemed less concerned by the announcement. "Eight hours without an iPod, that's the most inconvenient thing," she said, waiting at the Manchester airport. Most European carriers canceled flights to Heathrow because of the massive delays created after authorities enforced strict new regulations banning most hand baggage. Tony Douglas, Heathrow's managing director, said the airport hoped to resume normal operations Friday, but passengers would still face delays and a ban on cabin baggage "for the foreseeable future." Security also was stepped up at train stations serving airports across Britain, said British Transport Police spokeswoman Jan O'Neill. At London's Victoria Station, police patrolled platforms with bomb-sniffing dogs as passengers boarded trains carrying clear plastic bags. Margaret Gavin, 67, waiting to board a train, said she wasn't scared. "Why should I change my life because some idiots want to blow something up?" she said. --- Associated Press writers Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington and Matt Moore in Frankfurt, Germany, contributed to this report. Read More