Introduction：
Encoding and decoding is a communication model developed by Stuart Hall in a 1973 article entitled Encoding and Decoding in Television Discourse. The core terms derive primarily from Stuart Hall’s reservations about communication theory underpinning the study of mass communication.
What is encoding/decoding?
Encoding is the generation of messages using verbal and non-verbal symbols, and decoding is the interpretation of messages. In communication, the “encode/decode” model moves in a linear fashion from “sender” to “message” to “recipient.”
The sender “encodes” a message that makes sense, and the recipient “decodes” the message and understands it. “Decoding” is when the recipient negotiates with the text based on their own knowledge, cultural background, and experience. In other words, each recipient may interpret or decode the text differently, resulting in multiple meanings or polysemy.
It’s like a thousand Hamlets in a thousand eyes.
For example, through a case of a domestic dog biting a girl, both the dog and the dog owner should be punished. The recipient interprets it on three levels:
For example, through a case of a domestic dog biting a girl, both the dog and the dog owner should be punished. The recipient interprets it on three levels:
(1) Preferred reading means that the encoded message is the same as the decoded message. That is, the recipient agrees with the practice, and the dog and its owner should be punished.
(2) Negotiated reading means that the encoded message is the same as the decoded part of the message. The recipient thinks the dog deserves punishment, but the owner doesn’t necessarily need punishment.
(3) Opposite reading means that the encoded message and the decoded message are completely opposite. The recipient completely disagrees that dogs and dog owners need to be punished.
I think this is a very clear example to explain the three modes of decoding.
However, the propagation of events is not as simple as the “code/decode” model in a linear way. As a result, Stuart Hall improved his communication interaction model. Hall proposes a four-stage communication model: production, recycling, use, and replication. In the case of the domestic dog biting the girl, the four stages are the occurrence of the incident, the spread of the incident on social media, the discussion of the recipient about the incident, and the measures and actions taken after learning about the incident.
In conclusion
The communication model of “encoding and decoding” is inseparable from our life. No matter for what purpose, a code is thrown out, and through circular propagation, the public forms a self-understanding of the code and interprets it. But it is important to note that by circulating, we may read something that has been interpreted multiple times. For the real ingredients, also need to be carefully identified.
Reference list：
Nasrullah Mambrol. (2020). Analysis of Stuart Hall’s Encoding/Decoding. Available at: <https://literariness.org/2020/11/07/analysis-of-stuart-halls-encoding-decoding/> [Accessed 20 November 2023].
Kalyani Vallath.(2019). Stuart Hall’s Encoding/Decoding explained by Kalyani Vallath. Available at: <https://theoryclasses.blogspot.com/2019/11/stuart-halls-encodingdecoding-explained.html> [Accessed 20 November 2023].
I like your design and layout very much, it is very unique. The examples you gave in the article are very clear and explain the three different decoding modes very well. I think the different reflections of decoding modes may be due to different differences in the decoding process. As your title says, “There are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of a thousand people,” and it is indeed impossible to look at the problem from multiple perspectives.
I‘m appreciated that you love it.❤️