In our example, the visual message (the eye rolling and facial expression) does not agree with the audible message (the words being spoken). This is sarcasm and irony. Moreover, messages within the same medium can conflict to produce a “sarcastic” interpretation. For example, when someone is being sarcastic, their tone of voice (an audible message) conflicts with the words spoken (also an audible message); in this case the contradicting messages within one transmission medium result in a “sarcastic tone”. The scholarly article, Lower, Slower, Louder: Vocal Cues of Sarcasm Vocal describes how people can detect sarcasm. The author, Patricia Rockwell from the Communication Department of the University of Louisiana, states “[one can perceive] sarcasm even when the listener cannot see the face of the speaker”
…show more content…
Sarcasm is effective because it emphasizes the message. For example, if a friend is talking loudly on her phone during dinner, once she hangs up you could say, “Maybe you should talk a little louder next time - the whole restaurant didn’t hear you”. You want her to know she spoke too loudly, so you say the opposite to emphasize it. When messages conflict they produce an alternate interpretation which highlights the message. An example of irony is quite easy to find in tragedy theatre. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters of the play do not. By giving the audience information which are withheld from the characters, the audience is held in suspense. In reality, it does not make sense for the audience to know more about the story line than the characters, but this form of contradiction engages the audience and pulls them into the action. Sarcasm and irony can draw attention to the meaning transmitted by utilizing conflicting messages. Alternatively, a meaning can be emphasized by transmitting supportive messages through multiple
Sarcasm is effective because it emphasizes the message. For example, if a friend is talking loudly on her phone during dinner, once she hangs up you could say, “Maybe you should talk a little louder next time - the whole restaurant didn’t hear you”. You want her to know she spoke too loudly, so you say the opposite to emphasize it. When messages conflict they produce an alternate interpretation which highlights the message. An example of irony is quite easy to find in tragedy theatre. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters of the play do not. By giving the audience information which are withheld from the characters, the audience is held in suspense. In reality, it does not make sense for the audience to know more about the story line than the characters, but this form of contradiction engages the audience and pulls them into the action. Sarcasm and irony can draw attention to the meaning transmitted by utilizing conflicting messages. Alternatively, a meaning can be emphasized by transmitting supportive messages through multiple