Dual Meanings Essay

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Language is the manner in which all people communicate; with it, people share their ideas and thoughts. It allows people the ability to convey instructions or record events. In addition language works in many ways: written, spoken, and body language make up three primary ways that people communicate. Society and language are interrelated because the form of language is predisposed by the society practicing that particular form of communication. The printed word is the form of communication that man has developed throughout the ages to record personal information or important events. The written word replicates the spoken form of communication in a manner that allows the reader to comprehend the meaning. Body language is considered by many to be a universal language; it is subtle and more complicated. Using hand gestures, posture, and facial features all combine in a manner considered an unspoken form of communication. A smile or a frown can communicate contentment or sadness while the movement of the head can indicate a yes or no response. Media advertisements typically use words combined with visual images to convey their messages. Billboard advertising takes the written words, which mostly include images, even farther with the use of dual meanings that play on our values, we will either get mad or laugh it off; in any case, the controversy over the message has achieved the desired effect. Dual meanings allow the advertiser to imply subtle messages entwined in what the viewer sees. Billboards are indeed a powerful component of marketing. Many businesses consider them a tool to spread the word about their products or services to a large number of people in a short period. The interested business first contacts an advertising agency that handles outdoor advertising. Once employed, that agency helps to design the billboard and develops a plan for getting the message

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