Friday, October 2, 2009
Intro
Every day children are born all over the world, and will develop a knowledge of language in their early years that will continue to grow through their childhood. Although anyone can witness that children in fact do learn their mother language painlessly and easily, one problem holds: how? Seeking to answer this question, Steven Pinker states that language is “a distinct piece of the biological makeup of our brains” (Pinker, 18). On the other hand, Dalrymple asserts the influence of culture, as “it is a sociological truism that children tend to speak not merely the language but the dialect of their parents” (Dalrymple, 5). The two men’s opposing explanations of language further muddy the water. Is language really the product of our cultural influences, or is there really “an instinct to acquire and art”? In truth, no matter how strong Dalrymple’s argument for culture and Pinker’s argument for biology are, they do not stand strong enough to justify that language originates from either cause alone. Human linguistic development originates from a fine blend of both biological and cultural influences.
Language's development (biological or cultural?)
Carmen Solis
Dr. Hughes
The human being has a massive capacity to learn a language. Many people have tried to explain how an individual learns and adapt to a language. In the medical science, scientists believe that in our brains we have a membrane or a gene that is responsible to develop a language. Also, there are many writers that have argued about this topic whether language is learned biological or cultural; Pinker and Dalrymple are one of them. They explain thoroughly in their writing how language is developed in a human-being. Pinker states that language is an ability that comes naturally; Dalrymple explains that the cultural environment that one lives in has a great influence on the language. As a matter of fact, language's development is biological and cultural.
Dr. Hughes
The human being has a massive capacity to learn a language. Many people have tried to explain how an individual learns and adapt to a language. In the medical science, scientists believe that in our brains we have a membrane or a gene that is responsible to develop a language. Also, there are many writers that have argued about this topic whether language is learned biological or cultural; Pinker and Dalrymple are one of them. They explain thoroughly in their writing how language is developed in a human-being. Pinker states that language is an ability that comes naturally; Dalrymple explains that the cultural environment that one lives in has a great influence on the language. As a matter of fact, language's development is biological and cultural.
Communicating With Animals: Can They Communicate Back?
Steven Holland
Engl 1101
Dr. Hughes
Blog 6
Have you ever talked to your pet and then you wonder whether it can really understand what you are saying to it? A lot of people do talk to their pets, and most of them do not think that animals are capable of communicating with humans. They often think about most animals’ incapability of speech, they then assume that there is no possible way that an animal could communicate with a human. Animals can, in fact, communicate with humans; they just do not use the same methods of communicating that most humans use every day: speech. Animals can communicate with humans using several different methods of communication, including sign language, that do not require speech. Many animals have been trained to use several of these methods in order to communicate with humans.
Engl 1101
Dr. Hughes
Blog 6
Have you ever talked to your pet and then you wonder whether it can really understand what you are saying to it? A lot of people do talk to their pets, and most of them do not think that animals are capable of communicating with humans. They often think about most animals’ incapability of speech, they then assume that there is no possible way that an animal could communicate with a human. Animals can, in fact, communicate with humans; they just do not use the same methods of communicating that most humans use every day: speech. Animals can communicate with humans using several different methods of communication, including sign language, that do not require speech. Many animals have been trained to use several of these methods in order to communicate with humans.
Language: have it or gain it?(INTRO)
Leila Shearon
Hughes
10.2.09
“Mamma” and “dada” are the most common first words that an English speaking baby verbalizes. Months before those particular words escaped the infants mouth he/she was already familiar with communication. “Ohh” and “awww” added with hand motions and other gesture to signal hunger or a want. As the baby is stepping into the world of more advanced language scientist and psychologist begin to pose questions. Is language a learned element of life or is it something that is merely learned? Dalrymple and Pinker are two of the many men and women that has studied and stated their views on this subject. Pinker states that language is biological, inherited from your parents. Dalrymple, on the other hand, argues that language is learned and does not occur “naturally”. The development of language in a human child is not strictly the work of neither nature nor nurture; it is a combination of both. Both aspects mix together and form one of the most important skills in the life of this child, language.
Hughes
10.2.09
“Mamma” and “dada” are the most common first words that an English speaking baby verbalizes. Months before those particular words escaped the infants mouth he/she was already familiar with communication. “Ohh” and “awww” added with hand motions and other gesture to signal hunger or a want. As the baby is stepping into the world of more advanced language scientist and psychologist begin to pose questions. Is language a learned element of life or is it something that is merely learned? Dalrymple and Pinker are two of the many men and women that has studied and stated their views on this subject. Pinker states that language is biological, inherited from your parents. Dalrymple, on the other hand, argues that language is learned and does not occur “naturally”. The development of language in a human child is not strictly the work of neither nature nor nurture; it is a combination of both. Both aspects mix together and form one of the most important skills in the life of this child, language.
Introduction
Mary Elizabeth Lowe
English 1101
Hughes
10/1/2009
Language is a vital quality in humanity which conveys love and joy, hate and fear as well as an endless sphere of thoughts and emotions. One pressing question though, is how does this instrument called language come to be acquired so naturally in human beings? The possession of language uniquely distinguishes humans from all other species but how this superior mechanism is attained is surrounded in great debate. One explanation was spoken by Pinker as he said, “Language is a complex, specialized skill, which develops in a child spontaneously without conscious effort or formal instruction”
(Pinker, 3). An equally authoritative outlook states, “It is utterly implausible to suggest that imitation of parents has nothing whatever to do with the acquisition of language” ( Dalrymple, 3).While a number of individuals believe that language is either biological or learned, a more logical conclusion is a blend of both inheritance and learning. A biological neural program in each human being’s head is an innate essential for future language; however, it is equally vital to hear people speak in order to learn language and reach one’s linguistic potential.
English 1101
Hughes
10/1/2009
Language is a vital quality in humanity which conveys love and joy, hate and fear as well as an endless sphere of thoughts and emotions. One pressing question though, is how does this instrument called language come to be acquired so naturally in human beings? The possession of language uniquely distinguishes humans from all other species but how this superior mechanism is attained is surrounded in great debate. One explanation was spoken by Pinker as he said, “Language is a complex, specialized skill, which develops in a child spontaneously without conscious effort or formal instruction”
(Pinker, 3). An equally authoritative outlook states, “It is utterly implausible to suggest that imitation of parents has nothing whatever to do with the acquisition of language” ( Dalrymple, 3).While a number of individuals believe that language is either biological or learned, a more logical conclusion is a blend of both inheritance and learning. A biological neural program in each human being’s head is an innate essential for future language; however, it is equally vital to hear people speak in order to learn language and reach one’s linguistic potential.
Introduction: Learning Language: Biological or Cultural?
Jennifer Conley
Ms. Hughes
Paper Introduction
2 October 2009
Have you ever wondered where language comes from or how we obtain it? After many studies have been conducted about language the evidence supported by Steven Pinker and Theodore Dalrymple's theories appears more logical than others. As a well respected Harvard Professor of Psychology, Steven Pinker believes that language is a human instinct, wired into to our brains biologically. Contradicting Pinker's theory, Theodore Dalrymple believes that language is learner through our culture that surrounds us every day. While both theories have very compelling arguments and sufficient evidence to back them up some people would still disagree that just one of their theories is right. Language is biological in that the brain already has the capacity to learn language, but culture effects the way one actually speaks language.
Ms. Hughes
Paper Introduction
2 October 2009
Have you ever wondered where language comes from or how we obtain it? After many studies have been conducted about language the evidence supported by Steven Pinker and Theodore Dalrymple's theories appears more logical than others. As a well respected Harvard Professor of Psychology, Steven Pinker believes that language is a human instinct, wired into to our brains biologically. Contradicting Pinker's theory, Theodore Dalrymple believes that language is learner through our culture that surrounds us every day. While both theories have very compelling arguments and sufficient evidence to back them up some people would still disagree that just one of their theories is right. Language is biological in that the brain already has the capacity to learn language, but culture effects the way one actually speaks language.
Learning Language: Biological, Cultural, or Both?
Tyler Gunnin
English 1101
Dr. Hughes
10/2/09
Many of the people being born everyday are given the gift of language. As we develop and grow into mature human beings, that gift is finally unveiled to us. The knowledge of language is something that does not just breathe itself into our bodies on the day of our birth. Although it seems reasonable that the way we speak just appears to us naturally, there is the question regarding whether or not we pick up language biologically, from our parents, or culturally, from the world around us. The language we speak is given to us through the genes of our parents and the outside world's culture that we are presented to every day.
English 1101
Dr. Hughes
10/2/09
Many of the people being born everyday are given the gift of language. As we develop and grow into mature human beings, that gift is finally unveiled to us. The knowledge of language is something that does not just breathe itself into our bodies on the day of our birth. Although it seems reasonable that the way we speak just appears to us naturally, there is the question regarding whether or not we pick up language biologically, from our parents, or culturally, from the world around us. The language we speak is given to us through the genes of our parents and the outside world's culture that we are presented to every day.
The Recipe for Learning Language:intro
Rebekah Medford
October 2, 2009
Dr.Hughes
The Recipe for Learning Language
Introduction:
Looking into the recipe of learning language one will find two types of ingredients: biological and cultural. Many people believe that learning language is strictly biological, while others believe language is learned culturally. Derived from English naturalist, Charles Darwin, the concept of language as instinct or a biological trait has been researched and debated over by many linguists, including Steven Pinker. Pinker’s book “The Language Instinct” argues the point that at children are born with the innate ability to create language. In direct contrast to Darwin’s views and Pinker’s writings, there are likewise linguist who strongly believe that cultural is the main ingredient in learning language. Linguist such as Theodore Dalyrmple in his book “The Gift of Language” research different aspects of a person’s cultural that would affect their language ability. Limited vocabulary, parent’s education, the ability to express thought are topics Dalyrmple uses to provide evidence or verify his argument. Linguists from both sides of the argument have brought interesting views, examples, and evidence to defend their ingredient whether it be biological or cultural. In reality, the biological and cultural elements are blended together to create a unique, personal, learned language.
October 2, 2009
Dr.Hughes
The Recipe for Learning Language
Introduction:
Looking into the recipe of learning language one will find two types of ingredients: biological and cultural. Many people believe that learning language is strictly biological, while others believe language is learned culturally. Derived from English naturalist, Charles Darwin, the concept of language as instinct or a biological trait has been researched and debated over by many linguists, including Steven Pinker. Pinker’s book “The Language Instinct” argues the point that at children are born with the innate ability to create language. In direct contrast to Darwin’s views and Pinker’s writings, there are likewise linguist who strongly believe that cultural is the main ingredient in learning language. Linguist such as Theodore Dalyrmple in his book “The Gift of Language” research different aspects of a person’s cultural that would affect their language ability. Limited vocabulary, parent’s education, the ability to express thought are topics Dalyrmple uses to provide evidence or verify his argument. Linguists from both sides of the argument have brought interesting views, examples, and evidence to defend their ingredient whether it be biological or cultural. In reality, the biological and cultural elements are blended together to create a unique, personal, learned language.
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