Week 7 Reading Response #1

The advertisement for the National Institute of Mental Health is primarily in Spanish, because that is who they are mainly directing the ad towards. They expect that Spanish speaking residents will see the advertisement and read it. It will stand out seeing as how it is in a different language. The language choice and targeted audience interact in this advertisement by having the specific language the people they are targeting speak. The picture also helps a whole lot. Had there been a picture of a white male or something else, it would not have had anywhere near the same effect or impact it would with the Latino male on the ad. The quote taken from Rodolfo explains the Latino background and way of life. They seem to look down on those who let depression take over them, because the Latinos before them were hardworking and did not let depression "defeat you." The fact that the designers included the phrase "Real Men. Real Depression," may indicate that they are trying to advocate the treating of depression in everyone, and that you are still a man and not a failure if depression has overtaken you. That is why they also say that depression is a disease and that it can be treated. The Latinos can get help and the advertisement is showing that there is a way. The designers may have had something else in mind, but that is how I interpreted it.