As seen from the video, there is miscommunication due to language-based barriers. Due to different reference groups, the German guy does not understand English very well. He misunderstands the call for help and makes up something else. This could in turn lead to various damages, especially lives lost. Therefore, communication can play a huge role during life and death situations.

This is an example of the interactive model of communication where, communication is a two way process of message between active senders and receivers. The audience are allowed to give feedback and exchange ideas. However, this process is sequential and there is a time lapse between message and feedback.

I’m sure we are all fully aware of the recent television advertisement which is running during primetime hours. As part of the campaign to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquito, the advertisement shows a guilt-stricken mother berating herself for allowing the spread of the mosquito in her home by being ignorant to the various breeding grounds. Thus, she faced the harsh consequence of her son being infected and fighting for his life in the hospital.

This ad is clearly sentimental and wakes us up about the reality of Dengue fever. The producer of this ad has played with emotions in order to obtain the results that are intended. In communication principles, he/she is using Pathos, which is an appeal to emotions. Placing a young boy in the spotlight, on the verge of losing his life is definitely a disturbing issue for everyone. No one would want their child to undergo such a treatment as well, thus this technique could instill the fear in viewers. Housework is normally related to mothers, therefore using a mother as the other character involved. Besides reaching out to housewives in Singapore, the producer has gone an extra mile to touch the majority of mothers here, who are employed and busy with their careers. Personally, I can imagine myself being a working mom in future, having no time to do house chores. After having seen this ad, no matter how busy my schedule is, I would at least remove water from potted plants, cover bamboo poles after use or store pails under shelter daily. Thus, I feel that this ad has achieved its main aim by using emotions as its tool of communication. Besides, as previous dengue advertisements have not shown much effect on the rising situation here, I feel that the government has decided to go full force this time, as a final step, to create such an emotional advertisement to hit where it hurts most.

On the other hand, this ad has created much controversy about how fear is not the correct approach in stemming the spread of Aedes mosquito, but education and prevention is. However, people fail to realize that after the many years of efforts in educating and persuading the people, the situation is still prevailing and that not much is being absorbed by them. Thus I am strongly for this advertisement and congratulate it on its success.