Reinterpreting School Vandalism: A Textual Analysis

Abstract

This study unravel the meaning conveyed from vandalism through textual analysis. It determined the profile of the respondents, the reasons for performing vandalism, characteristics of the school vandalism in terms of language choice, placement, types and stylistic features.It also determined the denotative and connotative meaning of the vandalism, its social messages, and the vandal’s personal, academic and social lived experiences. The result of the study was the basis for developing a proposed anti-vandalism program for the different secondary schools in Tuguegarao City.The study being qualitative in nature has three assumptions. First, vandalism used specific and stylistic features of language. Second, vandalism is used to communicate messages personal and social issues. Third, vandalism is an alternative medium of communication to convey messages on real life issues affecting students.Three public schools and three private high schools were used in the study. A total of 125 respondents were used in the study obtained through purposive sampling and snow ball sampling. A total of 263 pictures of vandalism were collected in the study and they were analysed through thematic and textual analysis.It can be concluded that vandalism is pervasive in the different secondary schools and the students are into this this kind of act because of the need for self-expression. Writing on the wall is a way of saying that they are ‘being there” even if they are not physically there. Their vandal writings are manifestations of their aggressive assertion that they are persons who speak,fight and love and long to be recognized.



Author Information
Alma B. Manera, Cagayan State University, Philippines

Paper Information
Conference: ACLL2015
Stream: Language education

This paper is part of the ACLL2015 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon