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September 13, 2005
Language
What is and what is not language? Why make a distinction?
(7-9) To simplify, a language is comprised of words, meaning a certain vocabulary, and grammar. It can include hand motions, gestures, noises, and specific pronunciations. A language is used to communicate with another being that has knowledge of the same language in order to express emotions, views, beliefs, etc. A language is not words, signs, symbols, noises, etc. tied together without meaning; these parts of language have to possess a certain value or purpose. A language is not just based upon an external or internal stimulus that forces one to converse, but it is an unconscious act. When one has a thought, language is automatically available in any sort of form. Languages, though, may change over time, but general rules for expression of thoughts are maintained and followed. It is important to make a distinction between what is and is not language because we have to establish some basis on what we, as humans listen to and believe. For example, if a human said that a car told him or her to steal jewelry when it screeched its wheels, any normal sensible person would quickly realize that cars do not have their own language and therefore, cannot converse with a human being.
You might say that you learned a new word today, but not “I learned a new sentence today.” Why?
(5) Technically, we all learn a new sentence everyday, and we all construct a new sentence everyday whether in writing, in reading, or in speaking. This is an interesting fact that I have never pondered. I believe that we don’t say that “I learned a new sentence today” because we take our own ability to create sentences for granted. We never stop to analyze what we have said. Contrary to the fact that we never say we have learned a new sentence, I feel as though I have. I possess a small quote book in which I write many different sayings and quotes that are especially valuable and priceless to me. A wide variety of these quotes are just sentences that have inspired me or made me sit and think about the way I life my life. So, in a sense, this question does not relate to me. To conclude, I believe that it is easier to remember a new word that one has found, than a new sentence. Also, the number of words in our language has a limit while the number of sentences that can be made from these words are limitless.
Posted by lcisgancarz at September 13, 2005 08:31 PM