Experienced university Lecturer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Strong education professional skilled in Research, Media Analysis, Analytical Skills, Program Evaluation, Lecturing, Editing, and Public Speaking
Summary Using a simple qualitative approach based on library desk study, this article explores Ta... more Summary Using a simple qualitative approach based on library desk study, this article explores Tagwira’s The Uncertainty of Hope (2006), Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions (2004) and She No Longer Weeps (1996) to ascertain if traditional norms and practices that oppress women are evident in these selected works of art. Further, the article analyses the literary works to unpack the reasons for the abuse of women and to explore why women tolerate abusive relationships instead of freeing themselves from such dehumanising scenarios. Finally, the article interrogates any possibilities available in helping abused women to free themselves from abuse. The analysis of the selected texts was conducted from the perspective of marginality. From the study of the chosen texts, the article establishes that women experience different forms of abuse yet stay in the abusive relationships for reasons which include the protection of patriarchal value systems, the fear of rejection by society, financial dependence and for their love of their children among others. It also emerged from this investigation that women need to be empowered through education and entrepreneurial skills in order to be self-sufficient so that they can leave abusive relationships and provide for their own well-being. The article also argues that the way men and women are socialised should also change and there is need for robust re-orientation across the social divide about gender equality and sensitivity. The conclusion the article makes is that women continue to stay in abusive relationships because of patriarchal values, norms and practices which see women as marginalised beings.
Most visuals in media stories either complement or are complemented by captions that accompany th... more Most visuals in media stories either complement or are complemented by captions that accompany them. This study sought to establish the complementary and clarifying effect of captions that go with road carnage images in The Herald newspaper, a local daily published in Zimbabwe. A study was carried out which involved an interview with photo-journalists from the stable and an analysis of three visual images chosen from the publication. It was established that even as a visual, image can stand alone (but not always); it can tell 95 per cent of the story but will only be complete with an accompanying caption. It was also established that captions need not tell the obvious, but provide that which the picture will be lacking to complete the road carnage story. Captions, therefore, help complete the story as regards the when, where, how, who and what of the depiction. The visual image and the caption combine to complete a communication activity as the verbal and non-verbal form of language...
ABSTRACT This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases... more ABSTRACT This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases of alleged rape. The research investigated the language used by both court officials and lay persons during legal proceedings and examined the linguistic and socio-cultural factors that motivate the choice of certain lexical and syntactic features. Transcripts of court proceedings held at the Mutare Magistrates’ courts between November 2006 and March 2007 were the primary source of data. A multi-faceted analytic approach including Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), conversational analysis and text linguistics was employed. It was established that the courtroom discourse of both court officials and lay persons in cases of alleged rape was characterised by differences in linguistic features such as euphemisms, sexually explicit register, technical (legal) jargon and syntactic complexity. The research also established that, while some linguistic features used by courtroom participants serve a purely legal function, others serve important socio-cultural functions. The findings of the study, it was concluded, have practical implications for both law and linguistics. An example is the need for the training of court officials to raise their sensitivity to language use in cases of alleged rape in order to improve the presentation of evidence in such cases.
Growth points (GPs), growth poles (GPs), small towns (STs) or growth centres (GCs) as they are va... more Growth points (GPs), growth poles (GPs), small towns (STs) or growth centres (GCs) as they are variously named in literature are defined as centres with strong resource base that can initiate a cumulative causation process that culminate in continuous and sustainable development. This paper reviews the definition of the concept and provides a critique of the constraints to the development of growth centres. It is the premise of this theoretical paper that it is possible to reengineer the strategy with a view to achieve sustainable development at these growth poles. Despite its widespread application most of the growth poles have never been successful because of natural-soico-economic complex of factors that have not been adequately conceptualized by the responsible governments. INTRODUCTION AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The analytical framework for this papers centres on four major aspects. Firstly, the introduction and the meaning of the growth centre as perceived from a simple linguis...
This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases involvin... more This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases involving alleged rape. The research investigated the linguistic features used by court officials and ordinary persons during legal proceedings and examining the linguistic and socio-cultural factors that motivate the choice of lexical and syntactic features used. The primary source of data in this study is transcripts of court proceedings held at the Mutare Magistrates’ Courts between November 2006 and March 2007. A multi-faceted analytic approach was chosen because no single approach could cater for all the data identified. From the perspective of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the researchers adopted conversational analysis and text linguistics as tools of analysis. The findings reported in this study such as the use of euphemisms, sexually explicit register, technical (legal) jargon and high levels of syntactic complexity could be seen as illustrating some of the differences in linguistic behaviour between court officials and lay people that probably affect legal decisions. The research also established that, while some linguistic features used by courtroom participants serve a purely legal function, others serve an important socio-cultural function. They help in the establishment and maintenance of cultural-gender identities as well as power relations. Findings discussed in this study therefore have practical implications for both law and linguistics. For instance, special attention must be given to the training of court officials namely magistrates, public prosecutors and interpreters to be more sensitive to the language issue. This should equip them with knowledge enabling them to prepare ordinary people particularly women for the trial with a view to improving how they present evidence in the courtroom.
Abstract The World Health Organization estimates that half the burden of disease and disability i... more Abstract The World Health Organization estimates that half the burden of disease and disability in industrialized countries is due to behavioral risk factors like smoking, physical activity, and diet. Health communication,interventions have demonstrated,their powerful influence on a broad range of health behaviors. However, to maximize their effectiveness on a population level, it is necessary to coordinate both interpersonal and mass
Mass media health communication has enormous potential to drastically alter how health-related in... more Mass media health communication has enormous potential to drastically alter how health-related information is disseminated and obtained by different populations. However, there is little evidence regarding the influence of media channels on health decision-making and medical advice-seeking behaviors among the Hispanic population. The Pew 2007 Hispanic Healthcare Survey was used to test the hypothesis that the amount of mass media health communication (i.e., quantity of media-based health information received) is more likely to influence Hispanic adults' health decision-making and medical advice-seeking behavior compared to health literacy and language proficiency variables. Results indicated that quantity of media-based health information is positively associated with health decision-making and medical advice-seeking behavior above and beyond the influence of health literacy and English and Spanish language proficiency. In a context where physician–patient dynamics are increasingly shifting from a passive patient role model to a more active patient role model, media-based health information can serve as an influential cue to action, prompting Hispanic individuals to make certain health-related decisions and to seek more health advice and information from a health provider. Study implications are discussed.
This article summarizes an impact evaluation of the North Karelia Project (Finnish CINDI program)... more This article summarizes an impact evaluation of the North Karelia Project (Finnish CINDI program) on smoking cessation attempts. During the period 1989-1996, data were collected by annual surveys, with response rates varying from 66% to 76%. This study included 1,694 adult current smokers or persons who had quit smoking during the past year, out of a total of 6,011 respondents. Smoking cessation attempts during the past 12 months were examined as a dependent variable. Reported exposures to mass media and interpersonal health communication were examined as possible determinants of smoking cessation. Weekly exposure to mass media health messages was significantly associated with cessation attempts among men only. In contrast, interpersonal health communication, or social influence, was a significant determinant of cessation attempts among both sexes. Exposure to both mass media and interpersonal health communication had an even stronger impact on cessation attempts. Thus, interpersonal communication appears to be an important catalyst of community programs, and its inclusion should be emphasized to obtain a higher impact with community programs.
This study set out to investigate the possible semiotic and linguistic effects of road carnage vi... more This study set out to investigate the possible semiotic and linguistic effects of road carnage visual images in print media, as perceived and conceptualised, respectively, by readers and photo-journalists of “The Herald” newspaper in Zimbabwe. The research proposes that images have transcended the monotony of texts, and could now tell the same story, sometimes, much better. The main objectives of the study were to: establish the onset of visual news as a social semiotic meaning-making process in the print media; establish ethical and cultural considerations in reading print media visual images; examine the use of framing in creating news through visual images; and, analyse the combined impact of visuals and text captions in news reading. The study adopted qualitative (visual image content analysis; photo-journalists’ interviews) and quantitative (readers’ questionnaire) approaches for data collection and analysis on three data sources: visual images drawn from “The Herald” newspaper (n=43); regular readers of “The Herald” (n=100), and photo-journalists (n=5) from “The Herald” in Harare. Visual analysis established that road carnage images have many dimensions that characterise how they are read by the public: image colour, shot is use, figure-ground exposure, angle of shot, and page position were the main dimensions picked out by readers. The findings established that visual media literacy is now a requirement for the news-reading public, as readers acknowledged that visual images reinforce their appreciation of road carnage news, and are a simple form of ‘language’ easier to understand than packed texts. Photo-journalists engage in visual framing to agenda-set news on readers’ behalf, as culture and ethics play a very important role in how people read road carnage images from “The Herald”. Captions put under road carnage images provide readers with more detail on the visuals; however, images are more impactful, as compared to the text. The study concludes that visual media images, specifically road carnage images from “The Herald”, are a form of ‘language’ that is fast becoming a new mode of effective communication in emotion-inducing news. Similar to Austin’s theory on speech acts, the reading of road carnage visuals should be treated as a visual act.
Summary Using a simple qualitative approach based on library desk study, this article explores Ta... more Summary Using a simple qualitative approach based on library desk study, this article explores Tagwira’s The Uncertainty of Hope (2006), Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions (2004) and She No Longer Weeps (1996) to ascertain if traditional norms and practices that oppress women are evident in these selected works of art. Further, the article analyses the literary works to unpack the reasons for the abuse of women and to explore why women tolerate abusive relationships instead of freeing themselves from such dehumanising scenarios. Finally, the article interrogates any possibilities available in helping abused women to free themselves from abuse. The analysis of the selected texts was conducted from the perspective of marginality. From the study of the chosen texts, the article establishes that women experience different forms of abuse yet stay in the abusive relationships for reasons which include the protection of patriarchal value systems, the fear of rejection by society, financial dependence and for their love of their children among others. It also emerged from this investigation that women need to be empowered through education and entrepreneurial skills in order to be self-sufficient so that they can leave abusive relationships and provide for their own well-being. The article also argues that the way men and women are socialised should also change and there is need for robust re-orientation across the social divide about gender equality and sensitivity. The conclusion the article makes is that women continue to stay in abusive relationships because of patriarchal values, norms and practices which see women as marginalised beings.
Most visuals in media stories either complement or are complemented by captions that accompany th... more Most visuals in media stories either complement or are complemented by captions that accompany them. This study sought to establish the complementary and clarifying effect of captions that go with road carnage images in The Herald newspaper, a local daily published in Zimbabwe. A study was carried out which involved an interview with photo-journalists from the stable and an analysis of three visual images chosen from the publication. It was established that even as a visual, image can stand alone (but not always); it can tell 95 per cent of the story but will only be complete with an accompanying caption. It was also established that captions need not tell the obvious, but provide that which the picture will be lacking to complete the road carnage story. Captions, therefore, help complete the story as regards the when, where, how, who and what of the depiction. The visual image and the caption combine to complete a communication activity as the verbal and non-verbal form of language...
ABSTRACT This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases... more ABSTRACT This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases of alleged rape. The research investigated the language used by both court officials and lay persons during legal proceedings and examined the linguistic and socio-cultural factors that motivate the choice of certain lexical and syntactic features. Transcripts of court proceedings held at the Mutare Magistrates’ courts between November 2006 and March 2007 were the primary source of data. A multi-faceted analytic approach including Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), conversational analysis and text linguistics was employed. It was established that the courtroom discourse of both court officials and lay persons in cases of alleged rape was characterised by differences in linguistic features such as euphemisms, sexually explicit register, technical (legal) jargon and syntactic complexity. The research also established that, while some linguistic features used by courtroom participants serve a purely legal function, others serve important socio-cultural functions. The findings of the study, it was concluded, have practical implications for both law and linguistics. An example is the need for the training of court officials to raise their sensitivity to language use in cases of alleged rape in order to improve the presentation of evidence in such cases.
Growth points (GPs), growth poles (GPs), small towns (STs) or growth centres (GCs) as they are va... more Growth points (GPs), growth poles (GPs), small towns (STs) or growth centres (GCs) as they are variously named in literature are defined as centres with strong resource base that can initiate a cumulative causation process that culminate in continuous and sustainable development. This paper reviews the definition of the concept and provides a critique of the constraints to the development of growth centres. It is the premise of this theoretical paper that it is possible to reengineer the strategy with a view to achieve sustainable development at these growth poles. Despite its widespread application most of the growth poles have never been successful because of natural-soico-economic complex of factors that have not been adequately conceptualized by the responsible governments. INTRODUCTION AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The analytical framework for this papers centres on four major aspects. Firstly, the introduction and the meaning of the growth centre as perceived from a simple linguis...
This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases involvin... more This article analyses the nature of courtroom discourse in a Zimbabwean context in cases involving alleged rape. The research investigated the linguistic features used by court officials and ordinary persons during legal proceedings and examining the linguistic and socio-cultural factors that motivate the choice of lexical and syntactic features used. The primary source of data in this study is transcripts of court proceedings held at the Mutare Magistrates’ Courts between November 2006 and March 2007. A multi-faceted analytic approach was chosen because no single approach could cater for all the data identified. From the perspective of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the researchers adopted conversational analysis and text linguistics as tools of analysis. The findings reported in this study such as the use of euphemisms, sexually explicit register, technical (legal) jargon and high levels of syntactic complexity could be seen as illustrating some of the differences in linguistic behaviour between court officials and lay people that probably affect legal decisions. The research also established that, while some linguistic features used by courtroom participants serve a purely legal function, others serve an important socio-cultural function. They help in the establishment and maintenance of cultural-gender identities as well as power relations. Findings discussed in this study therefore have practical implications for both law and linguistics. For instance, special attention must be given to the training of court officials namely magistrates, public prosecutors and interpreters to be more sensitive to the language issue. This should equip them with knowledge enabling them to prepare ordinary people particularly women for the trial with a view to improving how they present evidence in the courtroom.
Abstract The World Health Organization estimates that half the burden of disease and disability i... more Abstract The World Health Organization estimates that half the burden of disease and disability in industrialized countries is due to behavioral risk factors like smoking, physical activity, and diet. Health communication,interventions have demonstrated,their powerful influence on a broad range of health behaviors. However, to maximize their effectiveness on a population level, it is necessary to coordinate both interpersonal and mass
Mass media health communication has enormous potential to drastically alter how health-related in... more Mass media health communication has enormous potential to drastically alter how health-related information is disseminated and obtained by different populations. However, there is little evidence regarding the influence of media channels on health decision-making and medical advice-seeking behaviors among the Hispanic population. The Pew 2007 Hispanic Healthcare Survey was used to test the hypothesis that the amount of mass media health communication (i.e., quantity of media-based health information received) is more likely to influence Hispanic adults' health decision-making and medical advice-seeking behavior compared to health literacy and language proficiency variables. Results indicated that quantity of media-based health information is positively associated with health decision-making and medical advice-seeking behavior above and beyond the influence of health literacy and English and Spanish language proficiency. In a context where physician–patient dynamics are increasingly shifting from a passive patient role model to a more active patient role model, media-based health information can serve as an influential cue to action, prompting Hispanic individuals to make certain health-related decisions and to seek more health advice and information from a health provider. Study implications are discussed.
This article summarizes an impact evaluation of the North Karelia Project (Finnish CINDI program)... more This article summarizes an impact evaluation of the North Karelia Project (Finnish CINDI program) on smoking cessation attempts. During the period 1989-1996, data were collected by annual surveys, with response rates varying from 66% to 76%. This study included 1,694 adult current smokers or persons who had quit smoking during the past year, out of a total of 6,011 respondents. Smoking cessation attempts during the past 12 months were examined as a dependent variable. Reported exposures to mass media and interpersonal health communication were examined as possible determinants of smoking cessation. Weekly exposure to mass media health messages was significantly associated with cessation attempts among men only. In contrast, interpersonal health communication, or social influence, was a significant determinant of cessation attempts among both sexes. Exposure to both mass media and interpersonal health communication had an even stronger impact on cessation attempts. Thus, interpersonal communication appears to be an important catalyst of community programs, and its inclusion should be emphasized to obtain a higher impact with community programs.
This study set out to investigate the possible semiotic and linguistic effects of road carnage vi... more This study set out to investigate the possible semiotic and linguistic effects of road carnage visual images in print media, as perceived and conceptualised, respectively, by readers and photo-journalists of “The Herald” newspaper in Zimbabwe. The research proposes that images have transcended the monotony of texts, and could now tell the same story, sometimes, much better. The main objectives of the study were to: establish the onset of visual news as a social semiotic meaning-making process in the print media; establish ethical and cultural considerations in reading print media visual images; examine the use of framing in creating news through visual images; and, analyse the combined impact of visuals and text captions in news reading. The study adopted qualitative (visual image content analysis; photo-journalists’ interviews) and quantitative (readers’ questionnaire) approaches for data collection and analysis on three data sources: visual images drawn from “The Herald” newspaper (n=43); regular readers of “The Herald” (n=100), and photo-journalists (n=5) from “The Herald” in Harare. Visual analysis established that road carnage images have many dimensions that characterise how they are read by the public: image colour, shot is use, figure-ground exposure, angle of shot, and page position were the main dimensions picked out by readers. The findings established that visual media literacy is now a requirement for the news-reading public, as readers acknowledged that visual images reinforce their appreciation of road carnage news, and are a simple form of ‘language’ easier to understand than packed texts. Photo-journalists engage in visual framing to agenda-set news on readers’ behalf, as culture and ethics play a very important role in how people read road carnage images from “The Herald”. Captions put under road carnage images provide readers with more detail on the visuals; however, images are more impactful, as compared to the text. The study concludes that visual media images, specifically road carnage images from “The Herald”, are a form of ‘language’ that is fast becoming a new mode of effective communication in emotion-inducing news. Similar to Austin’s theory on speech acts, the reading of road carnage visuals should be treated as a visual act.
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