Two technological inventions of the 20th century, namely radio and cinema, revolutionized the way people consume information, communicate with each other, and develop literacy skills. It can be argued that the impact was multi-layered, encompassing both oral skills (speaking and listening) and reading abilities.
Radio, as a communication tool based on sound, significantly contributed to the development of oral skills. It created an "auditory richness" by exposing the general public to a wide range of voices, accents, and speaking styles. Announcers, actors, politicians, and commentators became role models, and listening to radio broadcasts became a popular pastime that indirectly contributed to the improvement of oral expression. People could learn new words, improve their diction, and be exposed to persuasive rhetoric, all without reading a written text. Radio, therefore, served as a source of oral inspiration for all of humanity, making knowledge and entertainment equally accessible to everyone, regardless of their reading ability.
With the advent of talking pictures, the impact on oral skills intensified. Viewers not only listened to the characters but also watched them, absorbing their body language, facial expressions, and intonations, which enriched the auditory experience and made the role models more complex and convincing. Talking pictures created stars who became cultural icons, and the way they spoke, behaved, and dressed greatly influenced the audience, further contributing to the development of language and interpersonal communication.
However, the contribution of cinema to the development of literacy did not stop at the development of oral skills but also extended to reading abilities. Even in the silent film era, the intertitles that were inserted between scenes played an important role in understanding the plot. They forced viewers to read, thereby contributing to the improvement of reading skills, even if on a basic level. The introduction of talking pictures did not negate the importance of subtitles but rather enhanced it. Subtitles, which have become an integral part of the cinematic experience, allowed viewers to connect the sound with the written word, thereby strengthening the connection between the spoken and written language.
In the modern era, it can be argued that subtitles in films and television series have, to some extent, become a substitute for traditional reading. The visual power of cinema allows it to dispense with lengthy verbal descriptions and convey a great deal of information through image, sound, and pace. Subtitles, in this case, complement the visual experience and provide the information necessary to understand the plot and dialogues. For many viewers, especially young people, reading subtitles has become the preferred way to consume narrative content, as it combines visual and auditory stimulation with reading, making the experience more dynamic and engaging.
The inventions of radio and cinema greatly contributed to the development of literacy skills, both oral and written. They created role models, made knowledge and culture accessible, and provided a new platform for learning and language development. In the digital age, where we are inundated with visual content, the importance of subtitles is only growing, and they may become one of the main tools for preserving and developing reading skills in future generations.
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