Environmental interpretation in a communications context

Abstract

This thesis was designed to assess the effectiveness, as a communication instrument, of an interpretation display board, located on an island designated as a conservation area. A literature search explores the link between interpretation and a theory of communication, and a case study attempts to correlate theory with practice. The literature review deals with definitions of environmental interpretation and some of the most common aims and objectives that interpreters use when producing an informative display. A theory of communication is also expanded and developed into major elements. Each element is then treated separately in order to emphasise the parts that comprise effective communication. The case study is centred upon the information display board on Mana Island. It illustrates aspects of environmental interpretation with data from observations and survey research which are then analyzed within a framework of communication. This case study was selected because it was an example of interpretive display constructed and installed by some of the visitors to the island who had no known previous knowledge of communication theory. The thesis asks the questions: -How can a theory of communication be applied to interpretation? and, -Can the elements of communication be used as tools to develop effective environmental interpretation? The findings show that users of the display recalled pictorial illustrations as opposed to photographs and that they recalled concrete rather than abstract information. They also show that the board is an invaluable tool in enabling the visitors to locate themselves in the environment in relation to their own circumstances. Whereas this case study is isolated from other studies, both physically and culturally, future interpretation work may benefit from a transference of the ideas developed by the research within each of the identified elements of communication. The ideas can be used to assist in planning and evaluating any informative displays.