Introduction to (re)Making Language
Summary: Through words, we are able to express our thoughts and feelings. By learning new words or languages we can expand our knowledge allowing us to express our ideas in more ways than one. However, this comes with the risk of knowing too much for our own good. Seth Graves says it best when he writes “Knowledge broadens our receptivity to emotion, but with the risk that it opens us up to all emotion.” The example Graves gives is from Frankenstein, when the monster gains the ability to express his thoughts through words. He was able to reflect on what he overheard from a conversation on human history, as well as consider his own place in the world. Only the bravest can express themselves with the words, both good and bad, that best describes who they are.
Language, Discourse, and Literacy
Summary: Language refers to any form of interaction that is used by a specific community. This can be through words, images, body language, etc., as long as the meaning behind them is recognized and understood. A discourse is a shared set of language-use practices, and a discourse community is a group that uses the discourse. These communities may be related on the basis of profession or social groups. Literacy refers to one’s knowledge of a discourse, which affects how we interact with the members in a discourse community. Depending on the social environments we’re exposed to effects what literacies we acquire and how we acquire them.
Response
Now I know why you asked us if we can think without language and my answer still remains true, correct even. If we can’t name things specifically then we wouldn’t be able to create sensical thoughts. After reading Language, Discourse, and Literacy, I was hit with the realization that we all speak many ‘languages’. For example, there is formal language that you would use amongst professionals and there is informal language that you would use amongst your peers. Both ‘languages’ get our ideas across without fear of being misunderstood. Out of the two readings, I enjoyed (re)Making Language more because it sort of explains why we often find ourselves at a loss for words or forgetting what we wanted to say. It’s most likely due to the fact that we just don’t have the vocabulary to express what we actually want to say.