Muted Group Theory

     When defining the term, "communication", the words "talking" and "messaging"  come to mind.  Communication builds from a relational process that in turn brings people together or even apart depending on the situation.  I tried to build my definition of communication not only from the talkative standpoint, but also to those who do not use their voice to communicate.  With this on mind, it made it more difficult for me to create an answer to what is communication.  I ended up defining communication as "a natural and relational process giving and receiving interpretation dependent on the ever changing dynamics of the world".  Although I was uncertain if I completely included the anti-socials and voiceless in this definition, the muted group theory connected the way communication works with those who are constrained.  Thus, this theory helped me establish why my definition works and how society works in a muted sense of communication.

     Before going into depth about my connection with my view on communication and the muted group theory, what exactly is this muted group theory?  The muted group theory created by Cheris Kramarae focuses on removing her idea that language is a MAN-made construction.  She relates this theory to the roles between men and women in society.  Her underlying assumptions then indicated how women have to change their form of communication to live up to this "manly standard" of society.  For example, women cannot simply talk to a group of guys about their day without including some sports or action film reference unless she wants to be ignored.  In a sense, I agree with this assumption but also it seems a bit unfair that men are in a way also downgraded by this theory.  She focuses so much on the lack of women's roles that the men are placed in an evil and controlling state. Ironically then she mutes out the perspective of men within her own muted group theory.  Of course, the level of equality between man and woman is not entirely at par; better examples could have included to elaborate on this theory are janitors and transgenders. 

     Personally, I enjoyed this theory thoroughly from explaining communication through those who are voiceless in a sense.  As a major focus in defining what communication means to me, it becomes a relational process because through lack of relationship, one knows what to say and do along with what not to say and do formed from their interpretation.  Nevertheless, it may be lacking, but it is still relational and a form of communication.  Think about it this way.  In the image, this woman lacks communication verbally, but her eyes tell so much more.  She is communicating.  The muted group may be restrained from being able to tell their perspective, but there are many other ways to communicate what needs to be said.  Those glaring and somewhat helpless eyes already send a message out, thus communicating through an image taken in this dynamic world.