Abstract:
Abstract: In the digital age, interpreting multimodal texts that blend written, visual, and auditory elements is crucial. This paper explores how sound semiotics—especially intonation and voice quality—play a key role in teaching the critical interpretation of multimodal digital texts. These speech elements convey nuanced meanings and emotions, affecting the understanding of digital content.
While extensive research has examined multimodal literacy and the role of sound in media texts, there is a gap in understanding how specific speech sounds like intonation and voice quality influence critical interpretation in digital contexts.This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on (i) How does understanding intonation and voice quality enhance the interpretation of multimodal digital texts? (ii) What pedagogical approaches can effectively integrate knowledge of sound semiotics into teaching critical multimodal digital text interpretation?
Preliminary findings from the analysis of digital texts, such as film episodes, emphasize that intonation and voice quality are essential components of the semiotic structure of digital narratives, rather than being merely ancillary elements. These auditory features profoundly influence the interpretive process, shaping not only the perceived meaning of the text but also modulating audience engagement and uncovering nuanced thematic layers. For example, subtle changes in intonation can completely change the way language is understood, shifting its tone from authoritative to sardonic. This has a tremendous impact on how the listener interprets the speaker's intention and the overall narrative. The research also suggests that integrating sound semiotics into teaching methods significantly improves students' capacity to analyse multimodal texts in a critical manner. This method enables students to accurately interpret complex multimodal communications, enabling them to engage more deeply with the complex interplay of semiotic resources in digital communication. By analyzing case studies of digital texts, this research demonstrates the essential semiotic roles of speech sound and proposes pedagogical approaches that incorporate these auditory elements into teaching strategies for multimodal digital text interpretation.
Keywords: sound semiotics, multimodal texts, digital literacy, intonation, voice quality, critical thinking, pedagogy, digital communication
While extensive research has examined multimodal literacy and the role of sound in media texts, there is a gap in understanding how specific speech sounds like intonation and voice quality influence critical interpretation in digital contexts.This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on (i) How does understanding intonation and voice quality enhance the interpretation of multimodal digital texts? (ii) What pedagogical approaches can effectively integrate knowledge of sound semiotics into teaching critical multimodal digital text interpretation?
Preliminary findings from the analysis of digital texts, such as film episodes, emphasize that intonation and voice quality are essential components of the semiotic structure of digital narratives, rather than being merely ancillary elements. These auditory features profoundly influence the interpretive process, shaping not only the perceived meaning of the text but also modulating audience engagement and uncovering nuanced thematic layers. For example, subtle changes in intonation can completely change the way language is understood, shifting its tone from authoritative to sardonic. This has a tremendous impact on how the listener interprets the speaker's intention and the overall narrative. The research also suggests that integrating sound semiotics into teaching methods significantly improves students' capacity to analyse multimodal texts in a critical manner. This method enables students to accurately interpret complex multimodal communications, enabling them to engage more deeply with the complex interplay of semiotic resources in digital communication. By analyzing case studies of digital texts, this research demonstrates the essential semiotic roles of speech sound and proposes pedagogical approaches that incorporate these auditory elements into teaching strategies for multimodal digital text interpretation.
Keywords: sound semiotics, multimodal texts, digital literacy, intonation, voice quality, critical thinking, pedagogy, digital communication