Reflection II

Assignment 2: Computer Mediated Communication

The study is basically conducted based on Lakoff's ideas on features of women's language which claim that women use certain linguistic features in their speech. Those features are lexical hedges, tag questions, rising intonation on declaratives, ‘empty’ adjectives, precise colour terms, intensifiers, ‘hypercorrect’ grammars, ‘superpolite’ forms, avoidance of strong swear words and emphatic stress. Samples of lines (English) written by participants (men and women) were randomly collected from a few profiles of Facebook accounts and then they were analysed by looking at those linguistic features of women’s language suggested by Lakoff. The findings shows that women’s language was used in written form the same as it was used in speech form. Some of them were used both by men and women but women used all the features in both forms. The most highly used linguistic feature of women’s language was rising intonation on declaratives with 12 times used by men and 40 times used by women. The least used of linguistic feature of women’s language was tag questions where it only appeared three times which was once by men and twice by women. The main reason why women inclined to use rising intonation on declaratives in written form was probably because they wanted to convey the message as similar as it sounded in their speech as women are known to be categorized as ‘feelers’. They tend to put importance on emotions while conveying messages whether in verbal or written forms. 

We think that computer has become a tool for people to communicate throughout the world regardless of age, genders, and religions. Traditionally speaking, CMC refers to those communications that occur via computer-format, for example e-mail, instant messages, chatrooms and text messaging. Other than that, social networking such as Facebook, Twitter and blog  also have become a popular channel for people to interact in the worldwide.

In teaching process, we believe that CMC can be a very good tool to assist teachers in their lesson plans. CMC seems to be beneficial in educational settings since  it  gives advantages for both teachers and students. CMC can be either synchronous or assynchronous where time and setting are independents. Both parties do not have to participate in exchanging information at the same time.  

Thus, CMC creates an opportunities for students to communicate with proffessionals which may be impossible in face-to-face communication. Besides, by using CMC in learning process, it allows students to actively participate in the discussion or by sharing experiences regarding on certain topics. It reduces shyness and increase self-esteem in students.

Personally, we feel that by using CMC in the discussion and assignments keeps us to stay in touch with each other virtually during holidays. CMC also helps us when we could not meet each other due to time constraint to make sure the assignments are completed before the deadline.

As for us, from the Islamic point of view, we believe that Islam does encourage us to make use of technology wisely. It is understandable that internet has rapidly grown as an essential source of information. CMC can be a channel for Muslims to discuss on matters concern. For example Islam.com, an Islamic portal covering wide range of topics related to Islam. There is a verse in the Quran surah Al-Baqarah ayat 231 mention that: 

                         Quran{45:13}

"He has subjected to you, as from Him all that is in the heavens and on the earth; Behold, in that are signs indeed for those who reflect"

We strongly agree that knowledge is not necessarily can be learn merely through books, but then knowledge can be found in many form, technology is one of the media that contributes in seeking knowledge.