Representation In Cultural Studies

Representation, in a more general sense, refers to the production of meaning through language (Hall, 1997, p. 16). The definitions of 'representation' given in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2010) are the following: first, “the act of presenting sb/sth in a particular way; something that shows or describes sth SYN portrayal: the negative representation of single mothers in the media (…)” (p. 1296); second, “(technical) (especially of a style of art or painting) trying to show things as they really are (…)” (ibid., p. 1296). The academic field ‘cultural studies’ is characterised by its theoretical aspects and area of concern, which include the power relations and several institutions of three different time periods: modernity,

143). They will most probably be used in relation to written words regardless of the context (ibid., p. 143). Additionally, photographs are used in popular culture to represent events occurring in society. In order to study and display individuals’ experiences, cultural researchers shall consider using images given their inclusion in most of the communication between humans (Pickering, 2008, p. 147). One form of communication humans use to convey information and exchange ideas is the mass media. Mass media plays a large role in representation. It provides individuals a limited outlook of the world that comes from a particular viewpoint and direction (Longhurst, 2013, p. 50). Consequently, the world is not presented by the mass media; the media rather provides a representation of the world (ibid., p. 50). Since humans are the ones representing the world through the media by giving their own perspective, the representation of it cannot be impartial and fair (ibid., p.