Эссе на английском языке "The role of science in international communication"

Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education
"Russian State University of Justice"

The role of science in international communication

Blokhina Valentina Alexandrovna

Faculty of Continuing Education

Law and Judicial Administration

Third year, group 33a

Mikayelova Karina Vaganovna,

senior teacher of the department of foreign languages

Moscow 2022

Introduction

Science communication is the practice of informing, educating, raising awareness of science-related topics, and increasing the sense of wonder about scientific discoveries and arguments. Science communicators and audiences are ambiguously defined and the expertise and level of science knowledge varies with each group. Two types of science communication are outward-facing or science outreach (typically conducted by professional scientists to non-expert audiences) and inward-facing or science «inreach» (expert to expert communication from similar or different scientific backgrounds). Examples of outreach include science journalism and science museums.

Science communication may generate support for scientific research or science education, and inform decision making, including political and ethical thinking. Science communication can be an effective mediator between the different groups and individuals that have a stake in public policy, industry, and civil society. This may be especially critical in addressing scientific misinformation, which spreads easily because it is not subject to the constraints of scientific method.

Science plays a great role in the development of many countries. By science we mean the system of knowledge in different directions and the interchange of this knowledge between people of various professions. People who share their ideas in their professional spheres are acknowledged to be scientists. Let’s examine this topic of science communication more closely from a number of perspectives.

To begin with, science has been developed since ancient times. Aristotle was a great thinker who made a general system of human development. Aristotle stated all science can be divided into theoretical, practical and poetical. Aristotle pointed out three components in the process of communication: the speaker, the speech and the audience.

While exploring the human nature scientifically, Aristotle developed a linear model of communication for oral communication known as Aristotle’s Model of Communication. This is considered as the first model of communication and was proposed before 300 B.C. It is also the most widely accepted among all communication models^[1].

The Aristotle’s communication model is a speaker centered model as the speaker has the most important role in it and is the only one active. It is the speaker’s role to deliver a speech to the audience. The role of the audience is passive, influenced by the speech. This makes the communication process one way, from speaker to receiver.

The speaker must organize the speech beforehand, according to the target audience and situation. The speech must be prepared so that the audience be persuaded or influenced from the speech.

Aristotle called this system «Rhetoric» which is the study of communication and persuasion and different message or speech should be made for different audiences at different situations to get desired effects or to establish propaganda. This model was highly used to develop public speaking skills and create propaganda at that time so; it is less focused on intrapersonal or interpersonal communication.

For instance, a speaker gives a speech to get votes from the audience at the time of occasion. The civilians only vote if they are influenced by the things the politician says in his speech so the content must be very impressive to influence the mass and the speaker must design the message very carefully.

The speech must be clear as well as the speaker must have a very good non-verbal communication with the audience like eye contact. This example is a classic case of Aristotle Model of Communication depicting all the elements in the model^[2]

After Aristotle, this idea was continued by his disciples such as Socrates and Plato. Current scientists till now adhere to this position. Communication has always influenced the relationship between countries. Strictly speaking, scientists all over the world have exchanged their experience in one way or another. This cooperation lasts till now. At present scientists attend international conferences where they make presentations on science-related topics.

The essence of international conferences is that scientists from different countries come to a certain country and visit its cities to exchange information on a particular topic that the host country sets for itself. Many countries take part in such discussions^[3].

Nowadays online conferences are gaining more popularity. Online communication allows covering important topics without leaving their homes or offices. Communication via internet is not inferior to live communication because participants of conferences can see each other, ask questions, argue and draw conclusions. Common people can be listeners if they are interested in some themes. As the scientists, the listeners connect online from different countries, because topics about a common country are considered emotional connections that fascinate the audience, and they feel that the speaker is one of them.

Science is becoming more and more popular thanks to the Internet. Science communicators can be representatives of different nations and various science disciplines. Expertise and positions also give credibility to a person. People believe only if they understand them what are trying to say. Common people find logic in everything. If there is no logic behind the speaker’s work or time, listeners do not want to get involved. Everybody has a sense of reason^[4].

Scientists do research in such areas as legal studies, history, philosophy, economy and other disciplines. All disciplines can be divided into several types based on different principles of communication development. For example, humanitarian subjects such as literature, philology, linguistics, politology, psychology, sociology, religious studies, geography, business, mass media and communication are united by verbal communication. Other sciences such as mathematics, physics, information technology, biology, chemistry are expressed through digits.

The United Nations officially comprises six languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French. Consequently, interpreters can speak any language convenient for the listener in order to avoid the international communication barrier. One hundred and ninety-three countries, where almost all the sovereign states, of the world are members of the United Nations.

The English language is the most popular language for scientists communication. It united people of the world. Most of the conferences use English language as their working language for people of different countries to understand each other. The English language unites scientists of Latin American, European, Australian, Asian, African and other countries.  Moreover most conferences provide interpreters for their listeners and participants for them to understand each other and feel at ease at the conferences^[5].

At the end of the conferences, each of the participants, both speakers and listeners, is issued an official document certificate of participation. These certificates can be in official English and optionally in the native language of the country.

Conclusion

Science communication professionals leverage their understanding of complex scientific topics, along with strategic communication and storytelling principles, to craft compelling and informative content about science and related disciplines. This combination of industry knowledge and practical communication skills allows science journalists, broadcast professionals, public relations specialists, environmental advocates, and technical writers to advance the public’s understanding of scientific research and discoveries.

The broad nature of science and its related disciplines allows for a diversity of employment options for individuals with an undergraduate and/or graduate education in scientific communication. Those with a background in the field can pursue employment in a variety of areas, including biotechnology, public health, biomedical engineering, medical technology, environmental science, aerospace, neuropsychology, animal science, or other related scientific industries that require communication professionals.

Literature

1. Cite this article as: Shraddha Bajracharya, “Aristotle’s Model of Communication”, in Businesstopia, January 6, 2018. Retrieved from https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/aristotles-model-communication (last visit: 20.03.2022).
2. Nautiyal C.M. Role of Scientists in Science Communication. July, 2010. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250927998_Role_of_Scientists_in_Science_Communication (last visit: 19.03.2022).
3. What is the role of science and technology in international relations? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-role-of-science-and-technology-in-international-relations (last visit: 19.03.2022).
4. The role of foreign languages in the international communications and science. Retrieved from https://studopedia.ru/20_32170_The-role-of-foreign-languages-in-the-international-communications-and-science.html (last visit: 17.03.2022).