Popular Culture Review Vol. 28, No. 2, Summer 2017 | Page 93

far today , have been in the news , and it is safe to conclude that those who see and hear about these events have moved them from short- term to episodic memory . Once an event arises , we can recall similar events regarding the time and place where such events have taken place . Recall in episodic memory then compels individuals to take action with nonverbal expressions of communication . Some symbols of sorrowful expression as those cited before ( e . g ., balloons , cards , and flowers ) will influence the choice of symbols to present at memorial sites .
Conclusion
Nonverbal forms of communication have become a salient feature in expressing the manner in which individuals respond to various forms of trauma and tragedy . The forms of tragedy noted are those that result from premature loss of lives due to acts of homicides or terror . From balloons , cards , flowers , these nonverbal forms of commutation convey meaning to viewers . As mentioned , these forms of communication are signs and signifiers in that individuals use objects to convey concepts associated with the objects seen at the memorial sites . Moreover , the ability to convey similar meaning from senders and recipients with these signs suggests that such individuals participate and share a common culture . We also mentioned that emotion and memory are also significant at these events since they influence the manner in which individuals respond to sensory stimuli , chiefly auditory and visual , when confronted with tragic events heard in the nation and around the world . It is hoped that a discussion of this type can contribute to an overall consideration of language in social context , especially nonverbal forms of communication that have become salient in societies today as individuals respond to incidents of tragedy .
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