Communicative Ecologies

Though of the same genre, two comparable proverbs from a given culture can operate in two distinct communicative spheres. Using an approach called discourse ecology, I explore the intertextual dynamics, semantics, and usage of two Kazakh proverbial calls to action. I consider the meaning and cultural background for each proverb. Based on searches of social media and a Kazakh corpus of news articles, I argue that one proverb operates in mass-media whereas the other is limited to use in interpersonal conversation and online chat forums. I conclude with considerations of the contrasting roles that the two comparable proverbs play in terms of representative and frame-aligning discourse for contemporary Kazakhs.

This article examines the growing entanglements between the
digital and the world of food while suggesting that food is a
particularly generative space through which to understand the
evolving but often hidden role of the digital in our everyday lives.
The article starts by examining food photography on social media
before discussing the role of ordinary people as participants in
online food culture via video-sharing platforms such as YouTube.
Mapping the shift from web 2.0’s dreams of creativity and sharing
to the monetisation of digital food communities, section 3 focuses
on food politics, and ‘the antinomies of connectivity’. The final
section discusses big food players and their use of social media in
an era of dataveillance and big data. It argues that ‘food citizens’
need to have an awareness of the commercial logics that support
the communicative ecologies in which we increasingly engage with
food and lifestyle practices.

This paper provides a conceptual framework for an islands’ communication ecology (CE) approach and an overview of the key findings of exploratory ethnographic research that aimed at mapping the CE of the Amami islands. The communicative ecology approach refers to the various forms, resources, activities, channels and flows of communication and information unique to an island or group of islands, to the island context and identity and a milieu of island agents. This research contributes towards an in-depth understanding of these Islands’ communicative environment; identifies key island mediated communicative networks and practices; explores the role of media in localized information flows unique to the islands; and attempts to explore how small island experiences can help contextualize the theoretical approach of communicative ecology.

This paper is based on a study that focuses on the narratives of Latin American migrant women in New Zealand and the role formal and informal communication networks play in their migration experiences. These networks can be both online and offline and supported by more traditional media.
Informed by a feminist theoretical framework (Hooks, 2015; Anthias & Yuva-Davis, 2010), this qualitative investigation employed the oral history (Truesdell, 2001; Sypher et al, 2013) and communicative ecology approaches (Lennie & Tachhi, 2013) and used focus group, oral history interviews and participatory photography as data collection methods.
The findings indicated formal and informal networks presented different uses and functions. Formal networks comprised of women’s business meetings; mother’s groups; Latin American and ethnic diverse playgroups; daycare; job mentoring programs, immigration advisors, English classes, psychological and religious assistance; social and cultural activities and festivals; and conferences and trainings for professional development. Informal networks involved family in their home countries or NZ; Latin Americans and non-Latin Americans friends, including groups of female friends; community was related to groups of women in yoga and dance classes, neighbors, not-for-profit activities, community businesses, church, dancing clubs, fundraising events and cultural and sports gatherings.
The research demonstrated the existing complexity and interrelationship between the communication networks and the feminization of migration (Raghuram, 2004; Piper, 2007; Ryan, 2007). NZ society’s multicultural and gender egalitarian conditions and the maintenance of their collectivist values facilitated those women’s empowerment. By actively establishing their networks, they were able to renegotiate their gender status and roles within their private and public spheres. Also, it was noticed the importance of ethnic women role models and the growth of ethnic women entrepreneurship and community leadership.
Communication networks were also linked to ways of overcoming acculturation challenges (Noh et al, 1999; Wei, 2007; Aizpúrua, 2008) and maintaining their culture and language within a gender basis. The participants felt more comfortable with their co-ethnics and shared support with Latin American women to strengthen their femininity that was considered an attribute of integration and success in the host society. Ethnic media was mainly important to the Brazilians. Some women of this study took the lead to engage and support the voices of the Brazilian community through its online magazine.
The use of online and social media facilitated and enhanced their virtual transnational ties (Komito, 2011; Nedelcu, 2012; Benitez, 2012) and established connections within the host society. They were also used for business purposes and news consumption from home and New Zealand. Migrant women’s groups on social media played a significant role regarding the support and empowerment between them and other women.
In conclusion, the communication networks of Latin American migrant women in NZ served as women’s empowerment and emotional and professional support in assisting with motherhood challenges as well as developing their leadership skills and setting up their own business.

This paper provides a conceptual framework for an islands' communication ecology (CE) approach and an overview of the key findings of exploratory ethnographic research that aimed at mapping the CE of the Amami islands. The communicative ecology approach refers to the various forms, resources, activities, channels and flows of communication and information unique to an island or group of islands, to the island context and identity and a milieu of island agents. This research contributes towards an in-depth understanding of these Islands' communicative environment; identifies key island mediated communicative networks and practices; explores the role of media in localized information flows unique to the islands; and attempts to explore how small island experiences can help contextualize the theoretical approach of communicative ecology.

This paper presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing research that seeks to map the communicative ecology of Amami Islands, south of the Japanese archipelago. Their unique micro-communicative ecology makeup and distinctive geographical and cultural identity provide a rich case study for this approach. In this research, the communicative ecology approach refers to the various forms, resources, activities, channels and flows of communication and information used by an island or group of islands.
The research aims at developing an in-depth understanding of the Amami Islands communicative environment as it forms part of existing island communities’ structures; identifying key communicative practices that contribute to sustaining Amami islands sociocultural cohesion; exploring the role of media, in particular community radio, in localized information flows unique to the islands; and identifying future areas of research of value to Amami Islands and the field of Islands Studies especially through the application of the communicative ecology mapping approach.
Mapping as a methodology enables a broader comprehension of the complexity of specific island communities and allows for the exploration of the various types of communication activity island people are engaged in (locally, trans-locally, intra-island, inter-island, trans-peripheral, national etc.), the resources available and the understanding of how these can be used in sustaining island communities. The findings of this research are grouped around three layers: a social layer consisting of people and social modes of organizing those people; a technological layer consisting of the devices and connecting media that enable communication and interaction; and a discursive layer consisting of the content of communication.

This article is based on a study that focused on the narratives of Latin American migrant women (LAMW) in New Zealand and the role formal and informal communication networks play in their migration experiences. These networks were both online and offline and supported by the ethnic media. Informed by a feminist theoretical framework, this qualitative investigation employed the oral history and communicative ecology approaches. This study demonstrated the existing complexity and interrelationship between the communication networks, the feminisation of migration and migrant women’s empowerment.

This article is based on a study that focused on the narratives of Latin American migrant women (LAMW) in New Zealand and the role formal and informal communication networks play in their migration experiences. These networks were both online and offline and supported by the ethnic media. Informed by a feminist theoretical framework, this qualitative investigation employed the oral history and communicative ecology approaches. This study demonstrated the existing complexity and interrelationship between the communication networks, the feminisation of migration and migrant women's empowerment.