Blog 2- Kanzi the Chimp

 For this blog, I decided to look up Kanzi the chimp. This subject caught my attention in the video Unlocking Language that we saw in class. I was intrigued by the fact that chimps can learn sign language and a limited vocabulary. Also, I was amazed that they can also respond to English. In this video, the most interesting thing I observed was that the chimp could understand whole sentences, not just words.

 

I cannot agree or disagree with this video, but I do agree with linguists who have found that there is no creativity in animal communication. That idea can be extended to include animals who are taught English or other languages. This is comparable to how a dog understands certain commands such as  "Get the ball". I am sure that Kanzi was extensively trained to do these activities, in difference to humans who can learn them naturally. If he were asked to make up a new sentence, he would probably not be able to.  

 

My interest in the topic of how human speech is distinguished from animal communication has been piqued. I have always known that animals are not made to talk like humans; however, I am amazed that they can understand us to this extent. I will probaly continue to be interested in these types of experiments and learn more about the results. I am convinced that they will strengthen the belief that humans and their language are fundamentally unique.

 

 The world can also see through these studies that animals are awe-inspiring creatures with a more limited communication, natural only to them. It also can affect the way that society views humans and animals. They can possibly better comprehend that each has their own set of distinct characteristics, language or communication being one of many.   

 

 

 

 

Blog 1- Common differences in British and American English

I found this video about some common differences in words in British and American English and I thought  they were interesting. Here is the link..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwbpY4eNOgE.  It relates to language in an interesting way, which is why I chose it. Even though the two countries speak the same language, you could say they speak two languages based on the differences in pronunciation of certain words and in some words altogether.

What I found most interesting is that these words are some of the most common everyday objects, yet they are still different in the same language somehere else. Personally, I thought that words such as "pants" or "movie" were universal to all English. I was obviously wrong. I agree with the video because I have seen the same phenomenon occur with Spanish in Puerto Rico and in Mexico. It did make me want to learn more about the topic; it made me wonder if  some of the common words I use in English could potentially offend someone from Britain.

If I were to travel there, I would have to become a bit more familiar with their common words! The same would be true for other international travelers.

Introduction

Hi Class. My name is Bianca Soto and this is my second year at GCC. I am a full-time student, working toward finishing my Asoociate's degree in Accounting. I am creative and love art and music. I also am part of a band that plays Spanish music, although just for fun. I speak, read, and write Spanish, and have had two years of French in highschool. My grandparents are from Puerto Rico and I was born in Massachusetts. I am taking this class as a requirement for my honors scholarship and degree. I will see you all in class!