In “Introduction to (re)Making Language,” Seth Graves talks about how the gothic novel provided an outlet for exploring horrors and corruptions of the mind. It first became popular in England during the later period of the Enlightenment Era. One example of a gothic novel is “Frankenstein”, by Mary Shelley and the character in the novel gives an example of how communication and language are essential even in our feelings. The character feels very lonely and was desperate to have someone to talk to. This shows that communication helps us to cope with our feelings.
In “Language, Discourse, and Literacy,” Groves refers language to an interaction recognized by a specific community. He explains that an image, gesture, a line of computer code, or even an emoji can all be a form of language when they are used in a symbolic exchange of communication. Furthermore, he explains that the language we use affects the way we think and the language we have are based on discourse communities. A discourse community forms when a group shares a common set of language-use practices. When one uses literacy they have knowledge of discourse and this can be found in written language.
Language is interesting because it helps us to gain new knowledge. When we gain new knowledge, we are also opening our minds to different emotions, good and bad. It helps us to find new ways of expression which is why language is always adapting and changing. The reason why we think and act the way we act is because of the kind of exposure we have of literacy. With limited literacy, our minds also become limited as to what we feel and think.