Answers+to+Initial+Languge+Questions


 * Meredith**


 * (Original) How do our political, social and economic backgrounds shape our views of language? Can we ever really change those views? (Meredith)**
 * (Revised) Is it necessary to change our views on language as we ourselves change? If our economic/social/political beliefs or standing changes, how do the views on language change?**

I think Chapter 3 of Andrews answered this question pretty well for me. Our personal backgrounds shape the ways we use and view language and some of those views are difficult to change. I like to think of the answer to this question with the analogy of a person standing in a house with many different windows. The person is standing and looking out a window that faces North and they have stood at that window their entire life. This view is the only view they know. If they turn their head they can see glimpses of other windows and their views, but only enough to barely describe the view. If this person has the //want// they can move to any other window in the house and take in that view, but they have to //want// to do it. If someone tells them to do it, they may, but they will never remember the view they were forced to look at as much as one they chose to look at. They also have the memory of that first window, but if they //want// to take in another view, that view will be as memorable as the first. With time, the first view may begin to fade, but it will always be in the back of the person's mind.

// 9-25 Comment: // // Glad to hear that you are getting answers, Meredith. I love your analogy of the house and windows, which provide the opportunity for multiple perspectives if a person is willing to shift and look. It reminds me of this great quote from Gandhi, that I'll have to paraphrase, where he basically suggests that we should open up all of the windows of our house to let ideas in so that we can try them on and explore them, but that we don't necessarily let them blow us over or blow us away. Hopefully, we grow in our knowledge and experience of language, as well as our tolerance and understanding of it, as we evolve and progress through the stages of our life. Cheers, Dr. Young //


 * What would language be like without auditory or oral cues? If all language was limited to movement, signage and writing, how would we have developed differently as a society? (Meredith) **

I still haven't figured out the answer to this question.

// 9-25 Comment: //

// It is a neat question though, Meredith. The deaf children's community in Nicaruga that I mentioned in class, the group of kids who developed their own sign language, might provide you with some insights. I believe Matt tweeted about this, and here is an article about it as well: // // [] //

// If you remind me, I'll see if I can find the news video clip as well. //

// Best, //

// Dr. Young //