Assignment

Topic: Linguistic Relativity/Social Uses of Language

Answer the following question:

The question for this week is very broad, in part because of the nature of the week's topics, and in part because I want to tie things together a bit for the end of the term.

So, using at least three (3) of the readings from weeks 5 & 6 (you may use more from previous weeks if you would like), discuss the ways in which language influences culture, and the ways in which culture influences language. By language, I mean everything from its component structures (syntax, morphology etc.) to its rules of use. By culture, I mean everything from individual beliefs about the ways the world works, to larger institutions, like the military, universities, the government, political and economic systems, etc.

Requirements:

Your answer should be roughly two pages long. When you cite readings use the Chicago style. For more information on how to cite properly following the Chicago style, go here. I recommend in text citations--(Author Date, page #)--but you may use footnotes or endnotes if you wish.

Remember to include a bibliography when you cite, as well as your name and the date on the first page. Points will be deducted for lack of organization, improper or missing citations (including web pages) and references, as well as for vague and general arguments.

Related Materials:

5:

The Social Art (TSA), Chapters 29

Language Myths (LM) # 1, 9-11, 19, 21

6:

The Social Art (TSA), Chapters 19-21, 30, 34, 35

Language Myths (LM) # 2, 12, 18, 20

Additional materials from classmates' blog:

Blog

The connection between language and thought is an important discussion Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf began exploring while we continue the discussion. As seen in the lecture and readings, the linguistic relativity hypothesis is explained as "... the way people perceive objects and conceive of the world around them is affected or even determined by the language that they speak" (Macaulay 158, 2006). Macaulay goes on to mention that vocabulary is a major aspect of the variation as words may exist in certain languages and not in others.

This may also explain the difficulty in translation as not only must the words be as close as possible, but the semantics as well. Personally, when reading The Holy Bible in Mosaic I, there were many translations in the class that each one was read aloud and discussed on how different they each were and how it could affect one's interpretation of the text. Macaulay also mentions that there are cultural differences which contribute to this variance as "... the features that must be marked in one language (such as plural, gender, tense) but need not be in another" (161, 2006).

Overall, I think this hypothesis is very important to study. It is fascinating that languages may guide the way that we think and perceive the world around us. Not only does it make sense that there is much variation because of culture, but that language adds to this as well. I agree with the thoughts at the end of the lecture that we should not be disinterested in the topic or think language has the capacity to force us into a certain mindset, but to realize that language does have an important effect on our thoughts and behaviors across the world.

In Language Myth #1, I think it is very unfortunate that people believe word meaning should not change. Over the course of the semester it is clear that the evolution of anything is to ensure that we continue to live as efficiently as possible. Therefore, I believe it is important that the semantics must change because we need to be able to continue to communicate effectively among each other. If this change did not take place, it may prove harmful to society. Language Myth # 9 seemed pretty absurd when reading it. I have never heard of something like this and I am glad it is a myth.

As a theater major, I know we may train as much as possible to become adequate in portraying Shakespeare, but we may never play the characters in the exact way they were able to in the Elizabethan Era. There will always be modern influences which affect the integrity of the history and the language must also change in order for us to fully understand the meaning of what is being said. Lastly, Myth #11 was something I was glad to come across. For quite some time I would have agreed with this phrase because of the ignorance I had for understanding language.

Basing languages on our own ideas of what we think sounds beautiful seems wrong, in my opinion. It was not until I began to think about other dialects and accents in my training as an actor where I began to appreciate the different sounds and not judge on what was socially acceptable. I think it is also amusing that I have always been afraid of German because it sounded ridged and hard, but when I met my boyfriend who is from Germany my view on it obviously changed. I strongly think things that we do not know often scare us, and being able to understand the people speaking a language we may not like helps us sympathize better and understand that it is a form of communication in which no language is above or below our own and should not be looked at as strange or displeasing.

Blog

The idea that words have powerful effects on others and the way they form ourselves and the environment is not new, but is something that calls for a closer look when examined. Words are very important when stringed together in a certain way. They are what form intriguing novels like theHarry Potter series and important documents such as The Declaration of Independence. Ronald Macaulay opens chapter nineteen from The Social Art: Language and Its Uses by explaining that we may have read about magical societies with spells and contracts, but we ourselves do not believe they apply to our own world. However, he argues that words are the closest thing we have to this.

From contracts to promising, cursing and deeper statements such as "I love you", we are capable of creating just as much of an effect on another person, ourselves or surroundings as any fictional spell. When reading this chapter, I was a bit taken back that words and the way we use them are compared to something "magical".

At first, I thought this was really cliché but the more I followed the argument, the more I realized Macaulay has a point. Whenever we engage in apologies, promises and more, we create an understanding between individuals and these words create something that is not just uttered, but felt. Macaulay says, "In all these uses of language, there is an assumption (not always justified) of sincerity, that speakers mean what they say" (101, 2006). Therefore, even this sincerity creates enough of a bond between people which gives the words more of a spark.

Rhetoric seems even more complicated as every detail of an utterance must be understood in order to follow its meaning. Using generic terms rather than specific ones creates more difficulty for the reader or listener. This is similar to joking or sarcasm where the original meaning is not stated, but rather the opposite and one must try very hard to understand the phrase and context as well as other indicators such as movement or tone to fully understand the other.

I have not thought of these things previously, but it is amazing that there are many complexities within language we have not fully studied, but are still able to communicate effectively using them. I enjoyed reading the last chapter of the book on the author's own exploration of language.

It was interesting to learn how his path led him to creating this book and now how I've come across it in this class. Many of the conclusions he has made are clear and have opened my eyes on language and the complexity it holds. I am glad I have been able to read and better understand all of language has given us and the way it continues to form ourselves and our environment.

Therefore, Language Myth two, "Some Languages are Just Not Good Enough" is a myth that presents the ignorance some people have about language. Languages are a vital form of communication we have seen throughout this course and none should be judged better than another.

We have seen that languages vary vastly and differences in lexicon, grammar, or anything else should not be judged. All languages are vital in our communication around the world and I believe it is amazing that one people can have many different ways in expressing themselves.

During the lecture, it was mentioned that descriptivist's seem to want to understand how language works, rather than creating rules and controlling the way it should be used. I think this is the perfect way to understand and continue to appreciate any subject, by discovering all it has to offer and not forcing any of its elements into rigid structures.