Bekah Medford
Dr.Hughes
Blog: Oct 16
Starting this blog, my initial plan was to just quickly read through the sites, pick one, and just write about it to get through the assignment. As I started this process I realized that while reading each blog there were many interesting ideas, statements, opinions, and facts about the South spread throughout each and every site. My “quick” assignment then proceeded to take up much more of my evening than I had originally planned. Each site was very interesting and presents their views on the South in their own way. Though each site was discussing the Southern dialect or dialects, the treatment of the Southern dialect or dialects varied. Out of the four the views and opinions given off by the site ranged from the South as monolith, to the South having several southern dialects.
Regarding the view of “south as monolith”, I felt the Southern Dialect convertor (http://vaiden.net/convert.html) and “The Glossary of Quaint Southernism” (http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/southernese.html ) was the strongest in promoting this. I almost felt like the first of the two was utilizing a “strategy of condescention” because though very funny, and maybe true for many, it was extremely stereotypical of the South. The layout of the site also featured very stereotypical Southern characteristics. Now the second site of the two, though presenting the idea that there is just one Southern dialect, did so in a very respectful way. The introduction on the site stating that the Southern accent is perfect English but a dialect is fighting for the Southern dialect and not putting it down.
My favorite site was the Yankee/Southern test(http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html). This job did a very good job of varying different accents of dialects and attaching them to different regions, not just specifically the South or the North. The range of different regions went along with the distinction some tend to make between the Southern states. “Tennessee and Kentucky are the “outer states”; Texas is its own kind of south; whereas Florida is hardly south at all in the minds of Northerners” (Lippi-Green, 203). After taking the quiz I found myself to be “48% Dixie, barely in Yankdom.” This site is a very interesting way to see how other accents say certain words. This site began to move towards the idea that the South is not a monolith but instead has several dialects. Following this site, the Wikipedia site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_American_English did not support the idea that the South was a monolith at all. It uses the words “groups” or “sub-dialacts”. Living in the South I have heard and I know there are several types of different southern accents, yet it was still interesting to review these sites and notice different views of Southern talk.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Dirty South
Tyler Gunnin
Dr. Hughes
English 1101
10/16/09
The citizens of the Southern region of the United States take pride in their language and accent. Although this may be true, it does not mean the various other regions of the country believe the Southern accent is proper. Many people think of it as a monolith because of the single unified region that is so well organized with the people all together as one, and as a result of this, many other regions have certain respects and disrespects for the South.
Multiple websites and books have been created to display some sort of attention toward the Southern dialect. In this sense, it seems as if many people have respect for the largest accent group in the country, however, this is not so true. Two sites that seek to pay their honor to the South, Vaiden.net and Alphadictionary.com, seem to bring about a poor view of the region. The websites may be all in fun, and they are enjoyable to visit, but they present their own version of the dictionary, in a Southern manner similar to Jeff Foxworthy's "redneck language." Both viewpoints, that it makes fun of the Southern dialect, and/or it is respectable toward the region, can be supported by these sites. In a writing "Hillbilliies, Rednecks, and Bells," author Rosina Lippi-Green suggests that, "The fact that a Southern accent lies at the heart of anyone's construction of the south can be documented in a variety of ways." Based off of this statement, the dictionary established by both websites seems less as an insult and more like a praise of the south "documented in a variety of ways."
When such posts are made in any entertainment industry or even the Internet, other regions get the idea that the South is quite less intelligent than the rest of the country. Many comedians make a living off of making fun of the Southern dialect, but it is not out of the question that many parodies of the South are made because of the respect other regions have for this strong monolith. The South has always been a large group of similar people that take pride in their accent, and no television show or website displaying "redneck" words could ever snatch the pride the men and women of the confederacy hold on to so desperately after all of these years. The South may not seem as intelligent, respectable, or lively as other regions, because of the false advertisements made by other people across the country, but this strong dialect will never be torn down in the sense that it is such a strong area, characterized by people who take pride in their confederate flags and representatives at the national level that partake and have had success in activities just as well as other highly elected officals around the nation.
Dr. Hughes
English 1101
10/16/09
The citizens of the Southern region of the United States take pride in their language and accent. Although this may be true, it does not mean the various other regions of the country believe the Southern accent is proper. Many people think of it as a monolith because of the single unified region that is so well organized with the people all together as one, and as a result of this, many other regions have certain respects and disrespects for the South.
Multiple websites and books have been created to display some sort of attention toward the Southern dialect. In this sense, it seems as if many people have respect for the largest accent group in the country, however, this is not so true. Two sites that seek to pay their honor to the South, Vaiden.net and Alphadictionary.com, seem to bring about a poor view of the region. The websites may be all in fun, and they are enjoyable to visit, but they present their own version of the dictionary, in a Southern manner similar to Jeff Foxworthy's "redneck language." Both viewpoints, that it makes fun of the Southern dialect, and/or it is respectable toward the region, can be supported by these sites. In a writing "Hillbilliies, Rednecks, and Bells," author Rosina Lippi-Green suggests that, "The fact that a Southern accent lies at the heart of anyone's construction of the south can be documented in a variety of ways." Based off of this statement, the dictionary established by both websites seems less as an insult and more like a praise of the south "documented in a variety of ways."
When such posts are made in any entertainment industry or even the Internet, other regions get the idea that the South is quite less intelligent than the rest of the country. Many comedians make a living off of making fun of the Southern dialect, but it is not out of the question that many parodies of the South are made because of the respect other regions have for this strong monolith. The South has always been a large group of similar people that take pride in their accent, and no television show or website displaying "redneck" words could ever snatch the pride the men and women of the confederacy hold on to so desperately after all of these years. The South may not seem as intelligent, respectable, or lively as other regions, because of the false advertisements made by other people across the country, but this strong dialect will never be torn down in the sense that it is such a strong area, characterized by people who take pride in their confederate flags and representatives at the national level that partake and have had success in activities just as well as other highly elected officals around the nation.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Blog Prompt for Oct. 16: Southern Reputations
Dear All,
For this blog, I want you to look at the following websites:
http://vaiden.net/convert.html
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/southernese.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_American_English
Then I would like for you to discuss one or more of these sites' treatment of Southern dialect. Does it treat the South as a monolith? Does it utilize a "strategy of condescention" (as mentioned on page 208 of your reading), or does it respect Southern dialects?
There is one big rule for this blog: You must cite Rosina Lippi-Green ("Hillbillies, Rednecks, and Southern Bells") at least once in the blog, and you must integrate the quotation artfully into the paper -- no dropping! (If you missed class and do not know what "dropping" is, read section MLA-3 on how to integrate sources into your writing.)
For this blog, I want you to look at the following websites:
http://vaiden.net/convert.html
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/southernese.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_American_English
Then I would like for you to discuss one or more of these sites' treatment of Southern dialect. Does it treat the South as a monolith? Does it utilize a "strategy of condescention" (as mentioned on page 208 of your reading), or does it respect Southern dialects?
There is one big rule for this blog: You must cite Rosina Lippi-Green ("Hillbillies, Rednecks, and Southern Bells") at least once in the blog, and you must integrate the quotation artfully into the paper -- no dropping! (If you missed class and do not know what "dropping" is, read section MLA-3 on how to integrate sources into your writing.)
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.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Is language learned or biological? [intro]
Samantha Redden
October 1, 2009
Dr. Hughes
Is language learned or biological?
The desire to communicate is an instinct to any animal, especially humans. This instinct is a biological trait passed down through generations. This trait is triggered when a child begins to observe and practice the language spoken around them. Because children easily pick up their language without extensive teachings, the desire to communicate is biological. However, considering the fact that children are taught their native language by being around and communicating with other natives; language is taught.
October 1, 2009
Dr. Hughes
Is language learned or biological?
The desire to communicate is an instinct to any animal, especially humans. This instinct is a biological trait passed down through generations. This trait is triggered when a child begins to observe and practice the language spoken around them. Because children easily pick up their language without extensive teachings, the desire to communicate is biological. However, considering the fact that children are taught their native language by being around and communicating with other natives; language is taught.
Language Authority In America
Jonathan Dishon
ENG 1101
Dr. Hughes
October 1, 2009
Of the roughly 307 and half million people in the United States 96 percent of them speak English, and of those, 82 percent speak English as their native or first language leaving about 14 percent that speak English as a secondary language and also around 17 percent that do not even speak English (D’Agostino). Now the United States has no official language to date, but I believe that the United States should strongly consider coming up with a national language while at the same time preserving the variety of languages that are intact and spoken today. The language authority would be set up to help establish a standard for all citizens in the United States, not to demolish all the other languages spoken in the United States. So I believe that the establishment of a language authority in the United States would greatly benefit the country as a whole.
ENG 1101
Dr. Hughes
October 1, 2009
Of the roughly 307 and half million people in the United States 96 percent of them speak English, and of those, 82 percent speak English as their native or first language leaving about 14 percent that speak English as a secondary language and also around 17 percent that do not even speak English (D’Agostino). Now the United States has no official language to date, but I believe that the United States should strongly consider coming up with a national language while at the same time preserving the variety of languages that are intact and spoken today. The language authority would be set up to help establish a standard for all citizens in the United States, not to demolish all the other languages spoken in the United States. So I believe that the establishment of a language authority in the United States would greatly benefit the country as a whole.
Tyler Benson
Ms. Hughes
10/1/09
Introduction:
Animal communication is something that has been proven over numerous tests and is a valid fact. Animals have the ability to recognize a certain tone, gesture, or posture but animals cannot understand the words we are producing during these actions. Animals are clever and many have proven that they can show us what they desire through sign language and other forms of communication. They may be able to express wants, but it is only through memorizing the right answer to a problem that we train them to solve. Animals cannot understand human language; they merely adapt to perform sophisticated tricks that appeal to the urge to personify. Survival and comfort are the only two things animals really care about and they will adapt in order to get it. If it means that a monkey must move its hands in a certain way to obtain food and shelter for survival and comfort it will eventually learn how to do it.
Ms. Hughes
10/1/09
Introduction:
Animal communication is something that has been proven over numerous tests and is a valid fact. Animals have the ability to recognize a certain tone, gesture, or posture but animals cannot understand the words we are producing during these actions. Animals are clever and many have proven that they can show us what they desire through sign language and other forms of communication. They may be able to express wants, but it is only through memorizing the right answer to a problem that we train them to solve. Animals cannot understand human language; they merely adapt to perform sophisticated tricks that appeal to the urge to personify. Survival and comfort are the only two things animals really care about and they will adapt in order to get it. If it means that a monkey must move its hands in a certain way to obtain food and shelter for survival and comfort it will eventually learn how to do it.
Intro to U.S. Official Language
Jackie Hand
Dr. Hughes
10/1/09
America: The melting pot. Apart from English, there are roughly 28 million people who speak Spanish natively. Also according to Borgna Brunner, “After English and Spanish, however, few realize that French is spoken regularly in more American homes more than any other language (1.6 million). More than a million Americans also regularly speak German, Italian, and Chinese. And among the top languages spoken by Americans at home is one that has been spoken in this country long before English and Spanish arrived Navajo.” (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/multilingual1.html) There are 175 Native American languages currently in the United States. Of those languages, only 20 of them are alive and well, 30 of them are partially still spoken, but about 125 of them will be lost within the next 20 years. It is apparent to anyone who lives in our great nation that English is the most popular language amongst our people, yet it is not our official language. But, history shows that many Native American people were forced to forget their heritages and learn English, “just because”. The United States would benefit from making English its official language because of the people here speak it, it unifies us as a nation, and it facilitates communication. However, this can be done in a way as not to force others to lose their heritage. And if we are unsure ourselves of a national language, then it is hypocritical of our leaders to force this certain one upon their very own citizens.
Dr. Hughes
10/1/09
America: The melting pot. Apart from English, there are roughly 28 million people who speak Spanish natively. Also according to Borgna Brunner, “After English and Spanish, however, few realize that French is spoken regularly in more American homes more than any other language (1.6 million). More than a million Americans also regularly speak German, Italian, and Chinese. And among the top languages spoken by Americans at home is one that has been spoken in this country long before English and Spanish arrived Navajo.” (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/multilingual1.html) There are 175 Native American languages currently in the United States. Of those languages, only 20 of them are alive and well, 30 of them are partially still spoken, but about 125 of them will be lost within the next 20 years. It is apparent to anyone who lives in our great nation that English is the most popular language amongst our people, yet it is not our official language. But, history shows that many Native American people were forced to forget their heritages and learn English, “just because”. The United States would benefit from making English its official language because of the people here speak it, it unifies us as a nation, and it facilitates communication. However, this can be done in a way as not to force others to lose their heritage. And if we are unsure ourselves of a national language, then it is hypocritical of our leaders to force this certain one upon their very own citizens.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Blog for Oct. 2: Introductions!
For this week's blog, you will compose the introduction to your paper. As Hacker says, a good length for an introduction is between 50 and 150 words. Write an introduction and integrate your thesis into it.
This introduction needs to do several things. It needs to grab your reader's attention. You should establish the topic and show that you know something about the topic -- that is, you need to evince your academic credibility. Also, be sure that your writing leads up to your thesis statement(s) effectively.
This is a short assignment, but I expect you to work hard to polish this into a strong and interesting introduction! Finally, as this is a formal paper, make sure your writing is clear and conforms to Standard English grammar.
This introduction needs to do several things. It needs to grab your reader's attention. You should establish the topic and show that you know something about the topic -- that is, you need to evince your academic credibility. Also, be sure that your writing leads up to your thesis statement(s) effectively.
This is a short assignment, but I expect you to work hard to polish this into a strong and interesting introduction! Finally, as this is a formal paper, make sure your writing is clear and conforms to Standard English grammar.
Is language learned or biological?
Sam Redden
Is language learned or biological?
Thesis:
Considering the fact that children are taught their native language by being around and communicating with other natives; language is taught. However, because children easily pick up their language without extensive teachings, the desire to communicate is biological.
Quote 1: Harvey A. Daniels “Nine Ideas about Language” pg 19
“Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently, and largely without instruction.”
This quote will be used to argue that when children learn language, there is more to it than merely being taught. They are not given lessons on grammar at age two, but they somehow still pick it up. This quote will help persuade readers that there is a role of biology in the development of a child’s native tongue.
Quote 2: Pinker “An instinct to acquire an art” pg 4
“We think that children pick up their mother tongue by imitating their mothers, but when a child says Don’t giggle me! or We holded the baby rabbits, it cannot be an act of imitation.”
I understand that most readers will need more persuasion to believe language is also biological than to believe it is learned by people around us. This quote will cause my readers to think about their arguments and consider my thesis more deeply.
Quote 3: Dalrymple “The Gift of Language” pg 4
“my mother, a native German-speaker, arrived in England aged 18 and learned to speak standard English without a trace of a German accent (which linguists say is a rare accomplishment) and without ever making a grammatical mistake. She didn’t imitate her parents, perhaps, but she imitated someone.”
This quote will be used to argue other point of my thesis. When learning a language, one typically repeats what they hear other speakers saying. I refuse, however, to write a paper about the hat Dalrymple has for Pinker. Dalrymple’s point will not necessarily used to contradict Pinker, but to aid in the construction of my paper.
Is language learned or biological?
Thesis:
Considering the fact that children are taught their native language by being around and communicating with other natives; language is taught. However, because children easily pick up their language without extensive teachings, the desire to communicate is biological.
Quote 1: Harvey A. Daniels “Nine Ideas about Language” pg 19
“Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently, and largely without instruction.”
This quote will be used to argue that when children learn language, there is more to it than merely being taught. They are not given lessons on grammar at age two, but they somehow still pick it up. This quote will help persuade readers that there is a role of biology in the development of a child’s native tongue.
Quote 2: Pinker “An instinct to acquire an art” pg 4
“We think that children pick up their mother tongue by imitating their mothers, but when a child says Don’t giggle me! or We holded the baby rabbits, it cannot be an act of imitation.”
I understand that most readers will need more persuasion to believe language is also biological than to believe it is learned by people around us. This quote will cause my readers to think about their arguments and consider my thesis more deeply.
Quote 3: Dalrymple “The Gift of Language” pg 4
“my mother, a native German-speaker, arrived in England aged 18 and learned to speak standard English without a trace of a German accent (which linguists say is a rare accomplishment) and without ever making a grammatical mistake. She didn’t imitate her parents, perhaps, but she imitated someone.”
This quote will be used to argue other point of my thesis. When learning a language, one typically repeats what they hear other speakers saying. I refuse, however, to write a paper about the hat Dalrymple has for Pinker. Dalrymple’s point will not necessarily used to contradict Pinker, but to aid in the construction of my paper.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)