I am amazed at how linguists try to break down and explain aspects of language that seem so inherent to our being. It is amazing how they can go backward after they have already learned something without trying to and then give it an explanation. For example, pragmatics usually comes natural to us, yet we still are learning about it years after we have subconciously mastered it. Similar to idioms, I feel that in certain cicumstances, it may be difficult for second language learners (to some extent) to get good at understanding how pragmatics works in the new language.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Blog 6- Pragmatics
As we covered in class, pragmatics is the study of how context and situation affect meaning. This is something that called my attention because it affects everyone. Anyone who uses language well, understands how this works even if they have never heard of the word pragmatics. This is also true regardless of if they have ever thought about the idea or not. That is what was intriguing to me.
I am amazed at how linguists try to break down and explain aspects of language that seem so inherent to our being. It is amazing how they can go backward after they have already learned something without trying to and then give it an explanation. For example, pragmatics usually comes natural to us, yet we still are learning about it years after we have subconciously mastered it. Similar to idioms, I feel that in certain cicumstances, it may be difficult for second language learners (to some extent) to get good at understanding how pragmatics works in the new language.
Pragmatics, I feel are easier to understand if you are submerged in the situation, as opposed to trying to envision it from written words. Our interpretation of the same situation may differ if we try to envision because we may be missing important information. On the other hand, when we are living or seeing the circumstances in front of us, it may be easier to undertand the aspects of the conversation. I also find it interesting how this aspect of language can relate to areas outside of language such as phsychology.
I am amazed at how linguists try to break down and explain aspects of language that seem so inherent to our being. It is amazing how they can go backward after they have already learned something without trying to and then give it an explanation. For example, pragmatics usually comes natural to us, yet we still are learning about it years after we have subconciously mastered it. Similar to idioms, I feel that in certain cicumstances, it may be difficult for second language learners (to some extent) to get good at understanding how pragmatics works in the new language.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Blog 5- Useful website in learning a new language
Hi Class. This time I thought it would be nice to do something diferent, so I decided to look for a useful website for those who may be learning a new language or just want to try something new. The website I found is http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/. Here you can choose from several languages and access all kinds of cool things. For example, you can do interactive puzzles, listen to pronounciations of the language, or learn new slang words in every area of life. This can provide some extra practice.
What I found interesting is that it also teaches you some idioms of the foreign language, which was interesting to me, being that I just did my idiom project. I learned that in French the idiom for "I could eat a horse" actually means "I could eat a bull". It is funny how the translation is different in other languages. I like the website because it shows that learning a new language has to be a multi-fasceted approach. It is not just a process of reading and memorizing as in history class. Not only does it show you the text, but you can also choose to listen to the spoken language with a native accent.
I do want to learn more about this website because it could help me to keep what I have learned of French and to acquire more of the language. Also, I could use this website to show someone else who may be struggling with a foreign language. Perhaps if more people would use this kind of approach, their language studies would seem less boring and monotonous and this would help reactivate the interest in the suject. For sure, interest in the subject is important. There is no doubt that if you like to do something you will learn it better and be more enthusiastic about it. Anyone who tries to learn something new could use some extra tips, so hopefully this is useful to some of you.
What I found interesting is that it also teaches you some idioms of the foreign language, which was interesting to me, being that I just did my idiom project. I learned that in French the idiom for "I could eat a horse" actually means "I could eat a bull". It is funny how the translation is different in other languages. I like the website because it shows that learning a new language has to be a multi-fasceted approach. It is not just a process of reading and memorizing as in history class. Not only does it show you the text, but you can also choose to listen to the spoken language with a native accent.
I do want to learn more about this website because it could help me to keep what I have learned of French and to acquire more of the language. Also, I could use this website to show someone else who may be struggling with a foreign language. Perhaps if more people would use this kind of approach, their language studies would seem less boring and monotonous and this would help reactivate the interest in the suject. For sure, interest in the subject is important. There is no doubt that if you like to do something you will learn it better and be more enthusiastic about it. Anyone who tries to learn something new could use some extra tips, so hopefully this is useful to some of you.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Blog 4- Motherese
I found this very short article at this website http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/motherese-or-parentese. It was enlightening for me because it briefly explained what "Motherese" is. Before, I did not know what it was by name. The article also explained the characteristics that are part of this kind of speech, that is directed toward babies. It can also be refered to as infant-directed speech or parentese.
This kind of speech interestingly enough can actually help babies learn to speak better due to the exaggerations that are done by adults in the pronounciations. My original thought was that squeaky baby talk encouraged babies not to learn to speak properly because of its simplistic nature.
Now that I understand what motherese is and how specifically it helps babies, I do agree with the fact that it can help them acquire language better. This is comparable to how any adult learning another language would need to hear a breakdown of the pronounciation to "get" the word.
Definately, I want to investigate more on the topic because the beginning stages of language acquisition have become even more intriguing to me. This would fall under that category. Also, there is a new baby in the family and we all talk to him like that. Now I can feel that I am actually helping his language learning rather than stunting it. This topic affects everyone who has children or is close to babies and small children. Afterall, most of the time it is like an instict we have to speak to babies in this squeaky and exaggerated speech. Here is a video of what it entails: excuse the humor.
This kind of speech interestingly enough can actually help babies learn to speak better due to the exaggerations that are done by adults in the pronounciations. My original thought was that squeaky baby talk encouraged babies not to learn to speak properly because of its simplistic nature.
Now that I understand what motherese is and how specifically it helps babies, I do agree with the fact that it can help them acquire language better. This is comparable to how any adult learning another language would need to hear a breakdown of the pronounciation to "get" the word.
Definately, I want to investigate more on the topic because the beginning stages of language acquisition have become even more intriguing to me. This would fall under that category. Also, there is a new baby in the family and we all talk to him like that. Now I can feel that I am actually helping his language learning rather than stunting it. This topic affects everyone who has children or is close to babies and small children. Afterall, most of the time it is like an instict we have to speak to babies in this squeaky and exaggerated speech. Here is a video of what it entails: excuse the humor.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Blog 3- Learning a foreign language: five most common mistakes
Here is the URL to the article : http://www.lexisnexis.com.libproxy.gc.maricopa.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/
You will have to type in "mistakes in learning a language" in the news search bar. The article will be number 11 on the list.
As its title implies, the article BRIEFLY explains five common mistakes that are made by those learning a foreign language.
This article was of interest to me because I like to learn about other cultures, a big part of which includes language. Although I only speak English and Spanish fluently, I have taken two years of French in high school. I loved it and did really well, so I wanted to see if I was putting in practice any of the advice that was found in the article.
What I found to be most interesting was that all the mistakes were related in some way to being too rigid in the learning process. For example the mistakes were: not listening enough, lack of curiosity, rigid thinking, only using one method to learn the language, and fear of speaking the language. I find that I agree with the article very much being that I had a lot of curiosity for French, thought about new ways to communicate my ideas with the knowledge I acquired, used several methods to learn it, and spoke it every opportunity I had. I think that this is what led me to do well in my language studies.
I definitely want to learn more about this topic and I think I may do my research project on a topic related to this one. I feel that it would be very helpful to me because in the near future I plan on continuing to learn French and this will help me to acquire the language better and more confidently.
This information could have a great effect on those who may be struggling in a foreign language. By putting some of these suggestions in action and avoiding the mistakes mentioned in the article, the student could potentially improve and internalize the language more easily. Hopefully, this can help put the fun and adventure back into learning another language. After all, what fun is learning a second or third language if you are not enthusiastic about it?
You will have to type in "mistakes in learning a language" in the news search bar. The article will be number 11 on the list.
As its title implies, the article BRIEFLY explains five common mistakes that are made by those learning a foreign language.
This article was of interest to me because I like to learn about other cultures, a big part of which includes language. Although I only speak English and Spanish fluently, I have taken two years of French in high school. I loved it and did really well, so I wanted to see if I was putting in practice any of the advice that was found in the article.
What I found to be most interesting was that all the mistakes were related in some way to being too rigid in the learning process. For example the mistakes were: not listening enough, lack of curiosity, rigid thinking, only using one method to learn the language, and fear of speaking the language. I find that I agree with the article very much being that I had a lot of curiosity for French, thought about new ways to communicate my ideas with the knowledge I acquired, used several methods to learn it, and spoke it every opportunity I had. I think that this is what led me to do well in my language studies.
I definitely want to learn more about this topic and I think I may do my research project on a topic related to this one. I feel that it would be very helpful to me because in the near future I plan on continuing to learn French and this will help me to acquire the language better and more confidently.
This information could have a great effect on those who may be struggling in a foreign language. By putting some of these suggestions in action and avoiding the mistakes mentioned in the article, the student could potentially improve and internalize the language more easily. Hopefully, this can help put the fun and adventure back into learning another language. After all, what fun is learning a second or third language if you are not enthusiastic about it?
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