First, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome all of my new readers. I hope that you enjoy this foray into online discussions through the blogging medium. It is becoming increasingly more important to learn how to engage with the world through online discussion forums. College professors are beginning to use online discussions to allow students to further engage in the sharing and information gathering process. It is my goal to use this blogging tool to help you begin to develop online discussion skills.
I thought it would be fitting to begin by talking about the importance of words. As a literate, and highly communicative society, we tend to take words and language for granted. But, just think for a minute how life would be without words. How would we communicate? Would life be a constant game of charades? Would we be unable to develop deep ties with our fellow man?
A wonderful show, Radiolab, engaged in similar questioning about the role of words. For this week I would like you to listen to the Radiolab show entitled "Words." You have to option to download it onto a media player (and listen at your leisure) or listen to it on the website. After you listen to the show - in its entirety - please create a blog posting that addresses the following questions as well as your own reflection/analysis of the podcast:
What portion of the show did you find to be most interesting?
How did the information on the show prompt you to reflect upon your own use of language?
What would the world be like without language?
What words could you not live without?
Radiolab - Words
19 comments:
ALLAN NUDELMAN P3
Are words important? I think words are very important in life. what the podcast was trying to say was that ideas cannot exist if there are no words to describe them. I agree with this statement and i do think that words are the basic structure of every idea in the world. So basically, without words, there would be no ideas. I found it very interesting how Shakespeare made up many of the words that are used in everyday life. This supports the fact that ideas cannot exist if there aren't words to describe them. For example, Shakespeare invented the word "uncomfortable". Now, people think of that word as if it always existed, but back then, that word didnt exist, so the idea of someone being uncomfortable did not exist.
I also found it very interesting how there was a 27 year old man who did not know a word or a sign of any language. it was a amazing how at the age of 27 he figured out that there was a word for every object in the world and how he figured it out all on his own. This shows the great power of the human mind. Another thing that intrigued me was the lady who had the stroke. It is impossible to imagine myself without the little voice inside my head talking to me all day, but it does sound very interesting. she mentioned that when she didn't hear the little voice, she would be so happy and considered herself to be a part of all of her surroundings, which is something that i want to experience. Overall, I think this was a very cool informational podcast and I learned very neat stuff.
In the whole podcast I found the story of the 27 year old guy the most interesting. That just amazed me how he didn't have a language, he didn't know there was sound. I also found it interesting the way that she tried to teach him by playing both, the teacher and the student, even if it didn't help it was a very smart idea.
The information on the show made me see that everyone has their own unique language. We don't all pronounce words the same way. We all use different words to express feelings or emotions.
The world would be silent without language. It wouldn't be different or diverse. It would be a boring world. Words are used to communicate. Without words the world would be empty.
Words I could not live without would probably be any word that I use a lot. For example the word like, I say like numerous times in a day, its a bad habit but you don't notice it. The word like is a part of my language. Another word would probably be goodness, I always say "oh my goodness". I mostly say it because that's how I usually show that I'm shocked with what someone said or with what i read.
Overall, I really liked this podcast. I learned a lot from it and I liked how a lot of things that were stated made you think. I could picture everything that they were saying. It was a very good radio show.
The portion of the show that to me was the most interesting was the part of Ildofonso who learned sign language from Susan because right there i realized the important of words in our lives, When Susan asked him what life was like before language and when he responded that before language his life was dark and the fact that he didn't want to tell her and didn't to remember all that he went through before proves to me that life without language, for lack of a better term, is hell on earth.
This show helped me realize that for me learning languages is very important and that we are blessed to be able to communicate with each other and understand what we are saying. For me this show proved that language is something I really shouldn't take for granted and that even though I can get basic communication through to other people this shouldn't stop me from wanting to learn more about my language and try to learn new ones as my life goes on.
In a world without language everything would be ten times harder to compute on a daily basis for example the guy on RadioLab was talking about time, without the word time how would you be able to understand time ? Without being able to communicate to each other properly everything would just be one big mess, people wouldn't be able to understand each other and life would be just a big game of charades. People would be at war with each other over misinterpretations given to one another through there form of communication without language.
The words i can't live without are all the words that I've learned up until this point and all the words that will help me become a more successful person. Words are extremely important things in every day life and they are just thrown around being unappreciated, I don't think many people will recognize the importance of language in there lives and along with many other things, they will take words for granted. The lack of appreciation for words to me is unusual because words are the reason that humans have become so advanced and words are our basic means of communication.
JUAN GARCIA
PERIOD 3
To me the portion of the show that was most interesting was when they put the adults in the white room with one blue wall with iPods and they had to repeat what they were hearing. Then they did the same thing to the adults that they did to the rats and it showed that all the stuff they were repeating prevented them to tie words together and couldn’t figure out “left of the wall”.
The information in this show really helped me reflect on my own language. It showed me how important language is to the world. It also showed me how important language is for me. It showed me that my use of language is important. Without language I wouldn’t be able to communicate to other people so I would not be able to tell people anything.
The world without language would be a hard world to live in. If people weren’t able to communicate with other people then ideas and technology would be nonexistent. If there was no language then people wouldn’t be able to talk inside their heads and wouldn’t be able to think. They also wouldn’t be able to have a thought and thoughts develop into ideas so if there are no thoughts then there are no ideas. People would just experience what is happening around them but they couldn’t say for example “oh, the sun is shining”. They would jus t experience the sun shining on them.
To me some of the words I wouldn’t be able to live or communicate with would be words like: me, you, him, and her. Words like that to me are the most important because they show who the action is going towards. Without words like these, I wouldn’t be able to tell other people what I want or what he needs and stuff like that, so to me those are the most important words.
I found that the portion of the podcast where they where talking about the study of the mice and food to be very captivating. I just thought it was so cool that when you are between the ages of one and five, your mind works just like a mouse, you can think colors and sides but you can't piece the two together. Then when you reach age six something clicks on and your mind is suddenly able to piece them together. The podcast also made me think about how we come up with these elaborate rules for our language. It is amazing how we came up with this communication system known as a language, and who started it? I don't think these questions will ever be answered but I think it's neat to think about. I believe the world would be in complete chaos without language, people would get annoyed about how they couldn't explain themselves clearly and would ultimately start fights with each other because they misinterpreted each other. A word I think I couldn't live without would probably be because, because I say it in every other sentence and I don't know what I would say if I didn't have it. Plus it is the only word i know to explain myself
The part of the show that I found most interesting is at 15:50, how the kid's brains start to act as adults at the age of six. Radiolab helped me to reflect on my own language by making me think twice before I speak. Will that way of saying that word be the correct way or the wrong way? Will it be disrespectful? Without language, the world would be literally "dumb". For example, the college grads in Europe know more than one language. All languages connect to each other in some way. Latin is the base root of spanish and french which spanish is becoming spanglish. The word/words I cannot live without is the "like". Even though it makes you sound stupid when it is repeated so many times in a sentence, it always fits in and conjoins things together.
As generations grow, the brain is becoming more advanced in the human being. As the podcast stated, there are man islands in the brain the connect together to link the words together to create the phrase the human is trying to say. As the brain heres words more often, the brain will begin to procress those words faster. However, I think if the brain is pounded with information it will cause the brain to not connect the phrases together easily.
What would the world be without language? To me a world without language would take away all the inventions that mankind has created. We would probably be just like wild animals, but still be on the top of the food chain. Kinda like a monkey with a much higher intelligence that would benefit our entire race.
The words that i cant live without would just be the most common words in the English language. Words that i would to use frequently, like important names, nouns, verbs, and adjective. No need for big and fancy words, just simple ones that i could use to communicate.
The part of the show i thought was the most interesting was the beginning where Susan Schaller was talking about her life when she was 17 and how it changed when the truck hit her. I think words are essential to us because they help us communicate with others and let us express ourselves and explain thing to one another. Also, the fact that she tried so hard with a guy that she didn't even know inspires me to help people because by helping someone you are also helping yourself in a way. The experiment where the scientists evaluated rats and babies to each other showed me how words not only help us communicate to one another but to ourselves. The experts talked about how when children are at the age of 6, their brain starts to develop like an adult and can put phrases together and understand what they mean. If language didn't exist, then we would have to exhibit what we are feeling and thinking in a different way. It may make things harder because there would be a restraint on technology because things like cellphones and the internet and the t.v. wouldn't exist because of no language. Words i could not live without would be simple words that can describe everyday life like adjectives, verbs, and nouns. These simple words like happy, run, and mom are all used daily and if they weren't there life would be different.
- Words give meaning to life. It is hard to think of a world without language since language is an important link that connects humans. In a world without words, the way we communicate would be less proficient. Asking any simply question could easily become a hard task to do. We would certainly not be the developed intellectuals we humans are today. Everything would essentially be less advanced.
- I found the most interesting portion of the podcast to be when they questioned whom would one be to oneself without a language to constantly remind you of the person you are. The truth is that without this continuous reminder of my past and what I known I am, I may be a totally different person. Imaginably, we’d all be the same since we wouldn’t tell ourselves of the individuals we are.
- As I was listening to the podcast I jogged down a few notes in order to make it easier for me when I typed my reflection. This led me to thinking; a person without language would not be able to take notes. This could make them unable to make reminders (buy groceries, do homework, eat healthy, go to school, wake up early), and reminders are really what make up our lives. Without them we would get nothing done. Without even basic words such as: I, you, want, food, and feel which I find essential, we could not be able to express ourselves properly. We take words for granted, but they really make up our lives.
This was certainly an interesting topic, a topic I've never really given much thought to. As I was listening to the incredibly long, although not boring, show many interesting points came up.
The most interesting part of the show, for me, must have been when they discussed the fact that humans cannot "think" unless they know a language. I found this a very interesting topic and, to my surprise, realized that it was completely true; there was no denying it. Thinking, to all of us, is talking to yourself in your head, using a language, but to a deaf person who has never been exposed to any type of communication what so ever, thinking in your head is completely different.
A world without a language would be devastating. No communication methods via language would mean that we would have to express ourselves through facial expressions and movements, which would take ages to comprehend. Our ability to think and understand this world would be completely different too. I have never thought about my language skills as something important, but hearing this has definitely made me think about what I have. A couple of words and/or phrases I would not be able to live without would be the following: I am, friend, art, mum, please and so forth.
I must say that after I had finished listening to the show I definitely felt as if I had learned a vast amount of new knowledge.
Without a doubt I think that words are important, and I feel very fortunate to have the ability to use them to express myself. To me, the most interesting part of the podcast was the story when they talked about the lady named, Jill Bolte that had a stroke and no longer had chatter in her head for about 6 years or so! To me, the thought of not having thinking chatter is relaxing and stress-free. I personally would love to have no chatter at all. I ALWAYS seem to have a voice in my head that never stops talking. For example, if I have a certain homework assigned to do over the weekend, my chatter won't stop talking about it until I am fully finished with the assignment. In other words, i'm not able to relax and really enjoy my weekend because of my chatter that's constantly going. Therefore, I see where Jill is coming from when she says that not having the chatter was very peaceful.This podcast also helped me realize that there are soooooo many words out there, and it made me want to expand my vocabulary. The thought of the world without language is a complicated one. I believe that without language, people would become more humble and peaceful, yet it would be very difficult to express feelings. I also think that people would reach a toally different way of living, the days would become much more boring and bland. The hardest words to live without would be words such as: "time", "think", "believe", "want", "hate", "and", "you", and "I".
During the show, I found that the story of the Mexican 27 year old to be very interesting to me. Its facinated me that a man go go such a long period of time with no language no thought just the feeling of being alone. It's mortifying to imagine being out of contact with the world and not even knowing it.It must have been very emotional for him when he discovered this new world and i can understand why. The information on the show really showed me the beauty of language. And how an everyday thing such as waking up in the morning can mean so much. Having thoughts comes from language. The voice inside our heads. I never thought about that concept before. I am curious though as to how it would be like to not have a thought ever. Just being deaf and never having a thought. It makes me very glad to have a language and a way to express myself so that people can comprehend me an I them. With out words or language i wouldnt even be able to comment on this blog.
Without the use of language we would all be like the deaf man. Just sitting there. Never interacting with one another or not knowing how to. It would definitely be more frustrating andit would just feel like a dark eerie place. I wouldn't be able to help but feel alone and weak. Words to me are a part of life itself. Some words that i would not be able to live with out are the following; my, he, she, like, hi, yes, no, etc. So the answer to the queston "Are words important?" is yes they are. They're essential to life.
I think that the lady that helped the man in the podcast was very nice to help the man. Living without language would not be easy. Although communication in some form would still be achieved it would not be as easy and we would not be able to express certain things to others. In a world without language, it would be hard to get along with others, and I feel that we would all become loners.
Without language, I do not believe that we would be able to maintain strong friendships, or any type of secure relationship if we could not communicate well. Feelings would not be expressed and we would loose our heads! In the end language is something that defines us. The way people speak, and the words they use all play a part in their individuality and i believe that language is something taken for granted. I will admit that personally, before listening to the podcast, I never thought about what my life would be like without language.
What portion of the show did you find to be most interesting?
I really enjoyed listening to the story of the woman who had the stroke and lost all language. It amazed me how just a simple thing like language can free our mind. It's one of those things that you never really notice, the fact that your mind is full of endless thoughts is quite extraordinary!
How did the information on the show prompt you to reflect upon your own use of language?
The information definetly opened my eyes to the privilege of having this wonderful tool in our lives.I think everyone should take advantage of such an easy way to communicate,this makes me want want to improve my language skills and ultimately perfect them.
What would the world be like without language?
I think the biggest outcome would be the fact that we wouldnt have gotten very far in inventions and communication throughout the world. Our world would be developing at such a slow age that we would probably still be drawing symbols to represent ideas. Just like the woman stated in the podcast, she had no toughts. How could we ever improve from this state if no language ever existed? Answeris, we wouldn't.
What words could you not live without?
There are some words that really help make a statement clearer but are not necesarily needed. However, if i had to choose, I would just say all nouns.The other words are basically describing nouns,they do offer a clearer picture but aren't always needed.
I really enjoyed listening to this podcast, I especially loved the sound effects, they sound corny but they make it feel more real and I can concentrate more and think about the situation when they pause for "dramatic effect".
Thank you Mrs. Stoklosa!
Sicerely,
Laura Ballesteros
Personally, words are important to us and this world because they not only help us communicate with each other, but they also help us peice together peices of information. The world without language would be like what that woman said, silence, with no mental chatter. An ultimate "in the now" kind of feeling. I could never give a good estimate because ive always had a language to base myself off of.
1. The portion of the show that I found the most interesting was the baby lab. I think it's weird (considering that I'm pretty sure we didn't evolve from rats) that we think like rats when we're babies in the way that we don't comprehend and associate color and direction.
The show also said we couldn't comprehend true language, again similar to rats.
I thought it was really interesting learning about this lab and it intrigues me that we are similar to most creatures on this Earth.
2. This show has brought to my attention how our society now a days doesn't use correct language. Maybe in today's time, with technology advancing and new words being made everyday, we don't notice how much the language has veered off and changed since not long ago, for instance when our parents we're growing up. There were no cell phones and "text talk". But kids now use abbreviations for everything such as "ttyl, brb, ily, imy, etc."
Our generation is so wrapped up in everything being instant and everything, technology wise, is only getting faster and faster. It almost seems as if one day we'll be talking in complete acronyms. "IASHTSY" will one day mean "I am so happy to see you." This scares me considering everything in this world has evolved around language and communication and ours is getting shorter and shorter.
3. Without language, I believe the world would be a completely different place. No one would be able to express their feelings or idea to another. People would invent things on their own but no one else would know how to use or spread the idea because we wouldn't know how to communicate it. Also, without language, people would suffer. If an old lady is suffering and needs help but can't find any way to tell the person next to her that she needs help, the person will never be able to help. People also wouldn't be able to show much emotion because without communicating one doesn't know how another feels and no one would talk to each other.
I feel like our world would be a hostile and quiet place without language. Language is what brings everyone in the world together and what has brought our society to where it is now.
4. There are many words that I could not live without. One of them is 'like'. I know it sounds very bad and it isn't even correct grammar, but the word 'like' to me helps me out. I really need to work on cutting out the habit of saying it and speaking how I write.
Another word I can't live without is 'love'. I absolutely love the word 'love'. I most definitely overuse it and love to say it. I love showing, expressing, and giving love, so, thus, I also love the word. I think it's so adorable and shows great emotion!
Reflection:
All together, I really enjoyed this show. I thought it was very interesting to listen to and grabbed my attention right away with the introduction. I learned a plethora from this show, such as rats' similarities to babies, and how language is so important. This web show opened my eyes and had me captivated and wanting to listen to another.
1. i found the story in the middle most interesting. the story of the blue wall and the rats and babies.
2.it spread light to areas where u never naturally look at. the info they gave you, makes you ask yourself "would i still be me if i didn't get the gift of understanding language?"
3.if the world had no language, the world would be full of chaos. but the development of another language would be created over time. people would would act differently and see things from different views.
4.the words that i couldn't live with out are the simple words. only because i am a simple person and complicating things when not necessary. as well as, to me simple words are more specific then the complex ones.
WOW like oh my goodness. I dont know what to say. I mean i know you gave us specific questions to answer but I just cant think straight now. I have to thank you sincerely for givng us the task of listening to this podcast. Its listening to things like this that really make a person step back and look at there life and how they live it. I know it made me think to my self what would life be like without language or words, would I in a sense be empty minded with no thoughts whatsoever. Personaly a question like that sort of scares me, I mean the lady who described what it was like to lose language seemed to really enjoy it, but I dont know if I could say the same. I feel like what is life with out communication, how would that affect your relationship with family and friends, without words would you even remember them? The thought of losing words now is really frightening to me. I believe the show as a whole was soo extraordinarily interesting that I couldnt pick one specific thing to be the most interesting. I think though that the women who had the stroke and lost her knowledge of language back and forth is the most interesting experience or thought I could think of. I now cant get this podcast out of my head. All I can think about is how could a society of people live in a world without words. I wouldnt be able to function i beleive, I mean maybe the peace and quiet could be relaxing but what would be the purpose of life. If you have no way to even describe TO YOUR SELF HOW YOU FEEL AND WHAT YOUR FEELING then what is the purpose of feeling anything at all. As to what words could I not live wiithout is a very difficult question to respond to. Honestly all of them. But if I had to pick I think it would be love. Life doesnt seem like much without it. As long as I knew the people who I loved, loved me back, And they know i Loved them back too I would be fine. I have to Thank you Mrs. Stoklosa for this assignment, it has truely made me realize how things as simple as the words you say could change your life so greatly, how just knowing the meaning of words and being able to make connections between them is the most crucial part of your thought process(I believe). I have to say this is the most openly and probably the quickest and most elaborate I have been able to write about on any subject in such a short time, I hope you enjoyed it.
If we (the world) did not have language we would not be able to communicate. We would have to sign and maybe we would not be able to talk to each other. If we did maybe it would take longer to get your moment across. We would have to maybe drawa picture if they didnt understand and then it would take even longer then to communicate then if we just talked and everyone understood what we were saying
Life would probably be a never ending game of charades because if they don't understand sign or drawing then you would have to be using charades.I enjoyed the part of when they mention the 27 year old person who went his whole life with knowing he was deaf. You need all the words that you can get because what happens whjen you need to say a word thatyou dont know then it will be probably twice as hard to comminucate with that person.It reflected me because i never saw the words as an importnant language i only thought of it as word not a language thatif you dont know how to speak it then how would you explain it
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