Personal Reflection

My name is Zachary and I am a student in the Language and Culture class at Huston-Tillotson University. Upon completion of this course, I am to display my mastery of the four course goals. I should have received and retained knowledge about the history of the English language and knowledge of basic linguistics and socio-linguistics. I should be capable of expressing my knowledge of social and political language issues as well as my ability to analyze language in historical, social, and political contexts. I think I can show my adeptness.

Though initially I was familiar with the history of the English language, in this class, I learned many details that I only philosophized about were true. The English Language is a Creole language. It is a language influenced by the tongues of invading cultures and began to start borrowing words, resulting in the never-ending quickness in which we acquire new English words. Old English was the language of Western Germanic tribes that when introduced to Christianity, acquired many words from Latin and Greek, gaining words like wine , cheese, butter, and church. Middle English, a development after the Norman invasions, was influenced by the French Language and the Celtic languages it was beginning to replace on the British Isles, bringing about words like majesty, incense, peach, scarlet, towel, logic, final, and move. Middle English experienced the Great Vowel Shift and was spread by the works of Shakespeare and The King James version of the Bible. After which the constant conquering and exposure of the language to different peoples brought about the English we have today.

 I am very familiar now with socio linguistics. The word pairings speech community and prescribed language have contributed to the meat of my discussions lately. As this body of knowledge is still growing, and not at all extensively accepted as the history of the English language, I am not sure what I should write. However, I will discuss the significance as sociolinguistics concerns itself with Language within the social context. This means that our use of polite terms, the way we address others, the way we take turns in a conversation, what is acceptable to discuss and what is unacceptable are all determined by the environing society. The knowledge of which is extremely useful in discovering identity and the role language plays as a tool of social oppression and self realization.

 One cannot study politics without taking into consideration the use of language in political rhetoric. The term ‘global warming’, for example, developed after scientists and environmentalists were concerned that the term ‘climate change’ wasn’t as alarming to the global population. It is also important to understand how the proper ordering of idea through language continually keeps our politicians from deliberating in a pace that respects the urgency of our national emergencies. For example, the Health Care Crisis, and President Obama’s struggle to bring about a change, and the barrier of communicating to his adversaries due to his lack of the proper wording.

This class has provided me with a sense of personal direction and motivated me further along my own path due to its focus on language- one of my primary interests. I have learned when faced with a conflict to look first at the language used to get a feel for my bearings. Language is a tool that has the ability to smooth wrinkles. I have learned that Language is perhaps the primary building block of society, and the graces and failures within. It has been the source of contention and revolution in the American Revolution, the effective use of language has created a kind of social hierarchy that bleeds into an economic hierarchy. The inappropriate use of language in the Constitution was the source of many of the United States conflicts, such as the Civil War, and the Civil rights movement. It is the focus of the gay marriage rights now. It is tres important to be aware of its influence in our lives. We cannot be certain that we are living in a democracy or not if we are not active in the creation of its language. The concept ‘political correctness’ is an example of the role language plays within our daily interactions- it causes us to self censor. There is no doubt of the importance of Language- it is the lock to shackles that bind and yet it is also the key by which we may become free.

I look forward to further study because I feel that Language is not yet finished with me. As I continue in my education the study of language use and development will ever be at the forefront of my mind. I recognize the impact it’s already had on my life, and what it could do for me if I choose to embrace its mechanics. I leave this class in awe of Language and in chase of culture.

“The Origins of Writing” by Celia M. Millward

Really Interesting read!

Writing was invented for mundane purposes record keeping.

Writing has gone through a number of changes. From Pictograms and Ideograms to Logograms (Chinese characters) to Syllabaries (Japanese) and then the Alphabet.

Points of Interest: There weren’t many points of interest. However in my presentation we did get into a discussion about how Writing in a manmade development in language. It is a tool used for power and status. In the beginning only priest had opportunity to learn to read and write and that was because they reproduced copies of the bible and were book keepers.

There is an evolution of writing. All language tries to make its way to the ideal alphabet – that is for each sound there is only one corresponding symbol. However there does not exist any such thing. While I love the idea of an ideal alphabet, I still enjoy the logograms of Chinese. They are to me perfected for the culture. A culture that is very old and advanced.

My excited moment came when I began thinking about how writing influences our thoughts. Many people say that they think in language- as in words. However the chinese must think in ideograms. These thoughts very different due to their different writing systems must produce significant differences in the respective cultures.

I know that there is something to this because I don’t think very clearly in words- I feel they limit me- I prefer the archaic and occult symbols and lights and colors. There is something fantastic about culture and it’s relationship with the form of writing.

The Language of Film

The Language of the film community is at once fascinating and confusing. Like any language it is in a constant state of change and growth. This is because it is dependent on its technological and literary roots, its aesthetic aims, its technical routine, and its self referential culture. It is not a difficult language to learn, and the community is quite welcoming but if one does not speak it with the same fervor and knowledge a newcomer would be easily dismissed. I feel it is important for me to explore this community and their language because they are part of the ultimate community upon which all that is known and sought as truth is based- the community of Storytellers.

Film is a form of Visual storytelling. It is the projection of a series of rapidly taken picture images that give the impression of movement for the entertainment or education of an audience. It is an art form that requires the collaboration of many persons of varying skill sets. These craftsmen hold very interesting titles far removed for the average citizens’ knowledge and comprehension.  In its infant years, film went unaccompanied by sound. Today, sound asserts its right as one of the most valuable tools in the construction of the story through the invention and practice of Foley artists. Foley Artists are members of the film crew who produce the normal everyday sound effects that accompany the normal everyday images displayed on screen. Foley artists take their name from Jack Foley one the earliest and best known sound effects artists in Hollywood.

Other strangely titled film crew members are the Wranglers, Extras, Grips, and Gaffers. Their name and job description were directly imported from the Wild West. Wranglers are in charge of managing livestock prior to a shoot. Though they deal with animals they are most often managing extras. Extras are the persons cast in non speaking roles, often seen in the background or crowd scene of a film. They serve no other purpose than conveying a sense of normalcy and everyday convention within the story line. Grips are an integral part of any film crew. They are the muscle setting up and breaking down the sets on which films are being shot. They also handle the lighting and other electrical equipment managed by the Gaffers. Gaffers take their name from the long stick, called a gaff, used to light candles in old British theatre productions.

The language used in the production of a film varies whether you are an actor, writer, cinematographer, or producer. Actors are often concerned about their craft and often subscribe to the methods of different acting theory schools of thought. For instance, the Meisner system relies on Immediate Experience, leading to actors who pay better attention to their acting partners. A popular quote used by Meisner actors’ states, “The emotional life of a scene is a river, and the words are the boats”. Writers are concerned with the empathy and structure of a film, where empathy provides a character the audience will identify with and structure denotes what the movie is about, its central theme and architecture used to construct the plot.

Cinematographers measure the film in “shots”. Shots are determined from the moment the director says action to the moment the director says “CUT”.A group of shots make a scene, a group of scenes make an act, and a group of acts make a film! Whether it is above the line or below the line, producers are concerned with the budget of a film. Above the line means the costs to make a film including the purchase of the script, and paychecks for the producers, directors, and actors. Below the line consists of the technical costs to produce the film, like publicity, music rights and material costs.

As strange as the craftsmen’s titles are the language of cinema enthusiasts called Cineastes is perhaps more interesting. Want to provide a romantic experience? Hold your date during Magic Hour, the time just before sunrise or just after sunset when the light is beautiful and everything takes a sublime golden glow. Ever found something so bizarre that you weren’t able to think of a word for it? The famous Cineaste and film director Federico Fellini has coined one for all to use, grotesque. What about your cheesy friends known for their use of one-liners? Or your friends known for scene stealing? The list goes on and on.

As Cineaste myself, I have often noticed the in community references to famous directors, or famous lines, and famous songs from famous films. Anyone with a vendetta and a “weapon” has used the Al Pacino’s line from Scarface “Say hello to my little friend!” before. Nearly every man I know who has seen the Godfather mentions at least once or twice in their day that you “Never go against the family”. Nearly everyone quotes Will Ferrell comedy films. It’s evolved into a serious culture that t one can easily get lost in if they aren’t familiar or haven’t watched these films. When someone does quote a film they do so for humor or to convey a hidden message that they don’t want someone else to understand. So either the stranger to film culture is left out of the joke and the resulting laughter, or they miss vital information.

Thus far I have focused exclusively of the linguistic language of the film community. However the defining language of film is the visual language. In film the story is the message. We convey the story through a series of shots. Shots are like words in a sentence. The audience frequently asks themselves questions as a film is screened. Who, What, When, Why and How. Shots are what filmmakers use to answer these questions just as the viewer begins to wonder. “Who” is answered with a close-up (CU) of an actor’s face. “What” is answered with a medium shot (MS) which  shows a n actor engaging in some sort of activity. “Where” is  answered with a long shot (LS) which shows the actor or subject in an environment. Some times when the Cinematographer cannot use a LS they employ the use of a cutaway.  Cutaways are individual shots of items that build impressions of setting. Why is answered in the extreme close up (ECU), which gives the impression that the watcher can see what’s going on in the subjects head. How is answered by a medium close up (MCU) which catches a subject in the act of a physical action.

The Film community continues to grow and influence popular global culture as a whole. I feel that the literary greats will soon be synonymous with the cinema greats because of the prolific visual storytelling style. I imagine soon within the next 20 years or so we will see a change in language as cultural values begin to shift. Stories will become once more prominent in social exchange for collaborative reason and cinematic language will play a major role as cinema is a collaborative art. Film provides one of the best currently practiced professions to learn what it is to be part of and contribute to a community. I think we might all benefit having contributed to the development of a community. It is certainly one of my philosophical pillars.

“Rearing Bilingual Children in a Monolingual Culture” by Stephen J. Caldas and Suzanne Caron-Caldas

 This was by far one of the most interesting.

It details a couple’s successful attempt to grow a bilingual ( English and French) family in Louisiana, the concerns they had, and the results they had.

The important part of the whole essay came at the end with the couple’s comprehension of the value placed on language. If their children were to use and learn the French Language they had to value it. SO the couple would take them to Quebec for a couple weeks every summer. The children develop normally and their use of the French Language does not impact the use of the English language.

I remember Dr. Oldmixon asking us what is the language crisis. I don’t yet really know but I recognize that ignorance and the changes, socially imposed, play a large role.

“Native Tongues” by Nancy Lord

This essay was more of an personal research essay by Nacny Lord, a profeesional writer relocated in Homer, Alaska.

Points of Interest: “Eskimos developed dierectional systems based on posiitons realtive to the coastline, while Athabaskans developed theirs according to the flow of rivers.”

The idea is that Languages  are influenced by environment in a profound way. I have to agree. If i were outside of the city, say on a farm, I wouldn’t know any of the tools or the terms for birthing pigs.

However, that was not the focus of the Essay. Rather the concern is the loss of such diversity in the languages of the world. The question is: When we lose languages are we losing different ways of viewing the world?

“Yaghali du” is the Dena’ina greeting- meaning “Is it good?” the response is “Aa’yaghali” It is good.

The language is crafted as though around a community, and not to create community.

I love this becasue it brings to mind the idea that we are co creators and language is our tool….. IN FACT IT IS!!!!!!

In the bible it says that God told Adam to go out and name things.  Religion + effective language= SHUDDER.

“Language and Gender” by Mary Talbot

There is a differentiation between sex and gender. Sex is biological.

Gender as a social category.

Sex differentiation based upon different pronouns or affixes is uncommon in European Languages.

The Karaja Language and the illusion of language separated by sex. Language provinding liberation and new identity.

1) Girls expreicne language development earlier than boys, and they are less likey to have stutters or readign difficulties. Women process speech on the right side of the brain more than men do.

Points of Interest:

Due to the taboo placed on sex in society and enforced by language- sex becomes something of a social construct. “for every 30,000 births there is one intersexed infant… in industrialized societies, the binary distinction between male and female is medically enforced. Exceptions are ‘corrected’ , surgically and with hormone treatment.

This I feel is an example of society conforming to the limits of language. Parents of such individuals must think to themselves “” What will people say about our child?” and so they respond to the limitations of language with plastic surgery.

“American Sign Language: It’s Not Mouth Stuff– Its Brain Stuff” by Richard Wolkomir

Once upon a time in America people assumed that the Deaf were inferior because they all subscribed to Chrisitanity and felt that if you couldn’t speak you couldn’t get into Heaven. Bill Stokoe, a professor at Gallaudet University, the nations only university for non-hearing persons, discovered after impartial observation that ASL is a language  with a grammar like any other. ASL evoled on it’s own through the import of French Sign Langugae and its mingling with the already established deaf communities dialects.

Point of Interest: Deaf Culture

“Deaf Culture is a group of people sharing similar values, outlook and frustrations, and the main thing, of course, is sharing the same Language.”

“Simultaeenous communication”- the use of sign and speech together is really signed English, and not ASL.

The Seat of Language is located in the left hemisphere. Signers who suffer brain damage  there suffer the same linguistic limitations of speakers.

Deaf babies babble in sign….

Is Language capability innate or is it leaned from our environment?

“Sign Language” Karen Emmorey

Myths about Sign Language:

1) Sign Language is universal.

2) Sign Langauge is made up of pictorial gestures similar to mime.

3) Sign language is a pidgin form of spoken language using the hands and has no grammar of its own.

4) Sign language cannot convey the same subtleties and complex meanings that spoken languages can.

Sign languages exhibit phonological properties, complete with deletion rules, assimilation rules and a syllabic structure.

Morphology: ASL ( American Sign Language) uses motion and location to create linguistic classifiers.

Point of Interest: The facial expressions of signers are markers for “adverbial, topics, questions, conditionals and relative causes”.

I WANT TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE TO MASTER SIGN LANGUAGE POETRY. ” Sign poetry takes advantage of the visual modality by using ‘ cinematic’ techniques such as zooms, close-ups, and visual panning”.

Oh! what an adventure to live as a deaf man in a ‘blind’ nation.

What freedom comes with speach limitation?

Will visual language bring about change?

“Chimps, Children and Creoles:The Need for Caution” by Jean Aitchenson

Aitchenson’s article expresses a need for caution when handling the question of the origin of Language. It compares the hypothesized sources.

The section entitled Discussion is interesting.

Aitchenson concludes that Ape signing lacks structure, that children have innate language structure , but are inexperienced and so are selective of which rules to follow and pidgin speakers have structure and are inexperienced therefore are capable of clarifying and enriching the existing communication system.

Points of Interest: The “significant behavioral developments”.

In summary it is an evolutionary thesis about separate animal behaviors that under certain circumstances may possibly converge to create new behaviors. After which, either the behavior disappears or it develops along an innate path. Those leading to fruitful results become reinforced.

This is interesting after considering the basic human behavior. Language and psychology are connected- How and in what ways does Language affect the development of our psychology?

Women are told to behave a certain way. Men are told to behave a certain way. Society enforces these behaviors perhaps because the language hasn’t changed or spread that allows for deviation from the norm. Enter the idea of “writing into existence”.

“Nine Ideas About Language” by Harvey A. Daniels

SO there are 9 ideas about Language.

1 ) Children Learn their native language swiftly, efficiently and largely without instruction.

2) language operates by rules

3) All languages have three major components: a sound system, a vocabulary, and a system of grammar.

4) Everyone speaks a different dialect

5) Speakers of all Languages employ a range of styles and a set of sub dialects or jargons.

6)Language change is normal

7) Languages are intimately related to the societies and individuals who use them.

8) Value Judgements about different Languages or dialects are matters of taste

9) Writing is a derivative of speech.

Points of Interest: Hopi speakers do not conceptualize time the way English speakers do; the Hopi language reflects the perception. The book asks the question: “Are all our ideas about the world controlled by our Language, so that our reality is what we say rather what objectively, verifiably exists?”

I think that is a tremendous inquiry into metaphysics. Languages are tools. Just as a wrench varies and takes on different tasks perhaps languages take on different tasks as well, establishing different relationships with reality/the universe for some unknown purpose. These Languages do not make us more than we make it, and so language does not determine our behavior. However, the conscious use of language is similar to the sharpening of a knife- What is the purpose of the knife? What purpose does Language serve?

I am familiar with my language- My language presents a very different view of the world in comparison with the language my peers use. Perhaps language creates social highways instead of barriers. There is still an obstacle present however it is one that can be overcome due to time and persistence, where as a language wall requires a violent hashing of vocabulary and meaning leading o the formation of a Creole.