Dear Professor.
Language has shaped and defined cultures throughout history. The incredibly diverse practices in which dialects have developed and transformed is of the utmost curiosity to linguists today. Freshman year we did a unit focusing on the origins of the English language. We attempted to decipher the convoluted texts into modern English, to no avail.
The question that always confused me the most then was how language even came to be. Humans are so awesome that those in different regions had entirely independent ways to communicate to each other. I remember being so astonished that the early humans could develop a speech, and put that speech into practice. Each region had a specific language to their customs and beliefs.
Since each area of the world spoke their own unique tongue, was it the language that affected the people, or the people that affected the language? This idea persisted within my mind and later developed into the current prevailing question: how does language influence cognition? From previous research and basic human knowledge, I can deduce that the creation of different languages is the result of the isolation of different regions when that certain vocabulary was still forming. How does this translate to different abilities in different cultures is the dominating question. That is what I want to know more about.
From my research for the article of the week, I read that those who speak languages that do not have the future tense are more likely to save their money and less likely to partake in risky behavior. It is unbelievable that because of their ability to conceptualize the future better, they are able to lead a less dangerous life. And this is all a byproduct of their language. I want to know why this happens. I want to research the differences between languages, and because of that, I want to know how those differences influence comprehension. There is some characteristic in different languages, for example in Russian, they distinguish the difference between different shades of blue in normal speech which in turn allows for those who speak Russian to have a more refined eye in identifying colors.
I find it to be an issue that most people do not understand the differences in languages in how they allow for those who speak it to develop unique skills. This needs to be addressed in current society, as the average person has minimal knowledge regarding the niche abilities developed from everyday speech. I strive to provide information to those reading my post so they can realize the uniqueness of languages, and how these differences came to be, and what people who speak different languages are able to do. The main inequality that interests me the most is the vast difference between languages that posses the future tense versus those who do not. This shocked me the most when researching my project, and I aim to research topics germane to this subject to create an informative and detailed research paper.
Language has shaped and defined cultures throughout history. The incredibly diverse practices in which dialects have developed and transformed is of the utmost curiosity to linguists today. Freshman year we did a unit focusing on the origins of the English language. We attempted to decipher the convoluted texts into modern English, to no avail.
The question that always confused me the most then was how language even came to be. Humans are so awesome that those in different regions had entirely independent ways to communicate to each other. I remember being so astonished that the early humans could develop a speech, and put that speech into practice. Each region had a specific language to their customs and beliefs.
Since each area of the world spoke their own unique tongue, was it the language that affected the people, or the people that affected the language? This idea persisted within my mind and later developed into the current prevailing question: how does language influence cognition? From previous research and basic human knowledge, I can deduce that the creation of different languages is the result of the isolation of different regions when that certain vocabulary was still forming. How does this translate to different abilities in different cultures is the dominating question. That is what I want to know more about.
From my research for the article of the week, I read that those who speak languages that do not have the future tense are more likely to save their money and less likely to partake in risky behavior. It is unbelievable that because of their ability to conceptualize the future better, they are able to lead a less dangerous life. And this is all a byproduct of their language. I want to know why this happens. I want to research the differences between languages, and because of that, I want to know how those differences influence comprehension. There is some characteristic in different languages, for example in Russian, they distinguish the difference between different shades of blue in normal speech which in turn allows for those who speak Russian to have a more refined eye in identifying colors.
I find it to be an issue that most people do not understand the differences in languages in how they allow for those who speak it to develop unique skills. This needs to be addressed in current society, as the average person has minimal knowledge regarding the niche abilities developed from everyday speech. I strive to provide information to those reading my post so they can realize the uniqueness of languages, and how these differences came to be, and what people who speak different languages are able to do. The main inequality that interests me the most is the vast difference between languages that posses the future tense versus those who do not. This shocked me the most when researching my project, and I aim to research topics germane to this subject to create an informative and detailed research paper.
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The beautiful aspect of language is found in its ambiguity. The ability to vocalize a notion while illustrating an entirely original abstract concept is absolutely revolutionary. How we communicate with one another is truly a gift. Humans are able to convey emotion through authentic and emboldened actions.
Words
Actions
Physical Touch
Undoubtedly the most powerful tool we have as humans is the power to convey our thoughts to one another.
That what makes us the most dominant mammals on the planet.
Our ability to communicate allows us to transcend boundaries.
The capability to create art with our words is truly the facet of language that astounds me the most. The inherent talent some have to harmonize poetry with notes is an incredible feat that I appreciate the most in this world. One artist who truly emulates this concept is Frank Ocean. The raw talent he has to couple lyrics with complimentary beats is unmatched.
"You cut your hair but you used to live a blonded life"
Whenever I hear this lyric I ask myself what it means to me. That's the true uncut power of this combination of words. Listening to this can evoke a certain emotion or message in me while someone else can have an entirely foreign interpretation. This phrase makes me feel as though the act of cutting one's hair is a form of liberation. She cut her hair to mature herself. She did it symbolically to start anew. Is it done to empower herself or to sever clean the memories braided into her hair as she grew and experienced life? A blonded life is one full of youth and purity wherein one is bathed in golden light and idealistically traverses the trials of life.
Why do these words conjure these images in my mind? Is it attributed to the experiences I've had in my life? The interactions I've had with people and how they've treated me? Is that the causation?
"Wish we'd grown up on the same advice"
I wish we had the same goals in life. If we had had the same priorities we would not be so divided, we would be able to stand as one.
"The markings on your surface/ Your speckled face"
You've gone through many struggles in your life and it shows in your strength. The physical manifestation of your perseverance is etched on your corpus, forever carved into you as the image of beauty and fortitude.
The root of language is found within its interpretation. Throughout time it has evolved to elicit buried meanings. While the significance this has to me may be completely the antithesis to what someone else uncovers, it still has the same overall concept. We as a species possess the incalculable endowment to communicate with others and express unsaid thoughts. This is what makes us human: our ability to eclipse literal meaning and decipher the meaning this combination of words arouses within us.
L
O
N
D
The beautiful aspect of language is found in its ambiguity. The ability to vocalize a notion while illustrating an entirely original abstract concept is absolutely revolutionary. How we communicate with one another is truly a gift. Humans are able to convey emotion through authentic and emboldened actions.
Words
Actions
Physical Touch
Undoubtedly the most powerful tool we have as humans is the power to convey our thoughts to one another.
That what makes us the most dominant mammals on the planet.
Our ability to communicate allows us to transcend boundaries.
The capability to create art with our words is truly the facet of language that astounds me the most. The inherent talent some have to harmonize poetry with notes is an incredible feat that I appreciate the most in this world. One artist who truly emulates this concept is Frank Ocean. The raw talent he has to couple lyrics with complimentary beats is unmatched.
"You cut your hair but you used to live a blonded life"
Whenever I hear this lyric I ask myself what it means to me. That's the true uncut power of this combination of words. Listening to this can evoke a certain emotion or message in me while someone else can have an entirely foreign interpretation. This phrase makes me feel as though the act of cutting one's hair is a form of liberation. She cut her hair to mature herself. She did it symbolically to start anew. Is it done to empower herself or to sever clean the memories braided into her hair as she grew and experienced life? A blonded life is one full of youth and purity wherein one is bathed in golden light and idealistically traverses the trials of life.
Why do these words conjure these images in my mind? Is it attributed to the experiences I've had in my life? The interactions I've had with people and how they've treated me? Is that the causation?
"Wish we'd grown up on the same advice"
I wish we had the same goals in life. If we had had the same priorities we would not be so divided, we would be able to stand as one.
"The markings on your surface/ Your speckled face"
You've gone through many struggles in your life and it shows in your strength. The physical manifestation of your perseverance is etched on your corpus, forever carved into you as the image of beauty and fortitude.
The root of language is found within its interpretation. Throughout time it has evolved to elicit buried meanings. While the significance this has to me may be completely the antithesis to what someone else uncovers, it still has the same overall concept. We as a species possess the incalculable endowment to communicate with others and express unsaid thoughts. This is what makes us human: our ability to eclipse literal meaning and decipher the meaning this combination of words arouses within us.