(re)Making Language
In this writing, Seth Graves references a classic novel, Frankenstein to describe the sort of enlightenment we get when we learn of something. Graves uses an example from Frankenstein to explain this sort of thinking. The unnamed monster acquired knowledge from overhearing the instruction of a human and becomes enraged when he learned that humans were willing to take the lives of others. Similarly, when we learn something, we might have the same reaction when something we respect turned out to be something dreadful and disgusting. Next, Graves brings up the question of a person’s role in the world. The unnamed monster had a similar reflection on itself and realized how lonely he was. Graves explains that knowledge broadens our receptivity to emotion and not all knowledge is pleasing to hear. Thus, like Frankenstein’s monster, by acquiring new knowledge, it opens us to more expressions and meaning in our lives.
Language, Discourse, and Literacy
This reading starts off by saying that language is a misleading term and is too often suggests “grammar”. Graves points out that language also consists of symbols, images, and gestures. Discourse communities is a group that shares a common set of languages and can be defined in many ways ranging from social groups to the web forum Reddit. Literacy is also another word that was defined as the ability to read and write a given language. However, due to the broadened definition, Graves explains that literacy refers to one’s knowledge of a discourse and also includes the ability to use language within a specific discursive space. Graves also points out that literacy is connected to how people use texts, so our participation in social groups may be affected by the kind of literacy we possess.
Response
From these readings, I learned that language is a much broader term and can include a variety of communication. The way we perceive things can make us think a different way than we are used to. This helped me realize that language plays a big role in our everyday lives and could also help us better understand society. Also, our acquisition of knowledge can alter the thinking we have due to our emotions on the regarding subject. Thus, we are able to find who we are if we look close enough to who we are.