In this unit we have learned about how powerful language is, as well all of the varying reasons why miscommunication occurs: ambiguity, figures of speech, vagueness, different connotations for words. These cause the receiver to understand what you are saying in a different way. It also allows for language to be used to manipulate and indoctrinate. Newspapers are often written from a certain perspective, which tells the reader how they should feel about what they are reading. Propaganda is also another good example.
We use language for several purposes: for passing on information (informational function), to express emotion (expressive function), to give directions, in social situations (known as the cermonial/social function), which is using language to fulfill a certain normal ritual (for instance, “How do you do?”), for performative purposes, where the utterance of a few simple words changes your life and cathasis purposes, which is the healing function of language (psychology is all about this). This leads into the claim that language is a powerful tool. In saying, “I do”, you join your life with another person’s.
We use language for several purposes: for passing on information (informational function), to express emotion (expressive function), to give directions, in social situations (known as the cermonial/social function), which is using language to fulfill a certain normal ritual (for instance, “How do you do?”), for performative purposes, where the utterance of a few simple words changes your life and cathasis purposes, which is the healing function of language (psychology is all about this). This leads into the claim that language is a powerful tool. In saying, “I do”, you join your life with another person’s.
Languages are tied into our culture and way of thinking. As the author of the article The Day a Language Died, Peter Popham, says, when we lose a language, we as people lose a certain way of looking and talking about the world. A reason that western people have a problem understanding eastern philosophy, as the article The Difference Between Eastern and Western Languages reveals, is because the western language can only comprehend knowledge which is concrete, which can be talked about, knowledge which eastern philosophy classifies as conventional knowledge. This is governed by agreed up on rules, and education is essentially about learning those rules. It is about learning what a dog is, and then, learning to categorize it as an animal, and as a mammal. This being said, language reveals a lot about the culture and the nature of the people who speak it. As the article Language and Culture says, languages often reflect for instance the weather, or the geographical conditions in the place the people who speak that language live in. For instance, the Eskimos have fifty words for snow. However, it can reflect other parts of culture, like the Italians with over 500 words for macaroni, and the Arabs with supposedly 6,000 words for camels and camel equipment (though the writer doubted whether this is quiet true). The English language has a vast vocabulary, with 200,000 commonly used words, compared to for instance the French 100,000. English speakers are used to the concept of a thesaurus, but for people who don’t speak English, it’s a foreign idea because it is not needed.
Incidentally, cultural differences make for differences in the way people think. As the article How Culture Molds Habits of Thoughts says, Asians think in a different way to western people. Western people use more logical reasoning and analysis, removing the subject from its context, and they are not receptive of contradictions. On the other hand, Asians are more aware of the context, and use knowledge gained by experience. They are also more ready to alter their opinions because of contradictions.
The belief that language shapes the way a person thinks, might explain this difference between cultures. The article You Are What You Speak, deals with how different aspects of language mould the way people think. For instance people who speak languages such as French and Spanish, where objects are given a gender, some research says, associate more feminine qualities to feminine objects, and more masculine to masculine objects. Other things, like how time is talked about in language also influence the way you think However, research is not conclusive on exactly how this affects people.
The way languages evolve is an interesting topic as well. As is mentioned in Language and Culture languages take in borrowed words form other languages in order to find a word for things that are not central in a culture. Scientific language is another example of an area where language is continually expanding. In fact, the article The Language of Science points out, the vast majority of words are scientific or technological. In scientific language new words, and symbols (especially in the case of mathematics) to find a more accurate way of expressing things, which is necessary in the detailed orientated subject.
Language can be expressive and emotional. Swear language, as the article Caring-and power informs, is a way of getting rid of irritation. However, the article goes on to say that amount of swear words a person uses depends on their status. People from the social extremes, from the lower and the higher classes used swear. Women in the middle class in the past did not swear, in fact, women were less likely to swear than men in general. It still is this way, but now since most woman in the wester world have more status, through work, it is becoming more common. Therefore, language, and in particular the language you use, reflects your position is in the relationship that you have with the person you are speaking with, and your status. The fact that swear words are not generally liked is because of their emotional value. Both spoken and body language is loaded with the emotional meaning. As the article Additional thoughts about perception discusses, facial expressions and body language convey meaning, and some people are more adept at deciphering that meaning. However, everyone, to some degree can read body language, which adds further meaning. If somebody smiles at you, you know what they mean by that smile, whether it's a friendly smile or a nasty smile
Therefore, language is not just words, it governs the way we think, it is a reflection of our culture, our customs and ways of thinking, and it is laden with connotations and emotion. It is powerful. This is an important thing to remember, and useful if you are trying to influence people’s opinions. To protect yourself form subjective opinions, such as propaganda, it is also important to be aware of how language influences the way you think. Also, research into how language and culture are related help people from different cultures understand each other better and co-operate better. Also, hopefully to acknowledgement that language is unique and has a unique affect, will lead to greater efforts in preserving languages that are dying.
In my life, it leads to further awareness of how language is used. It will help me look at news articles more critically, to be aware of biases, which are conveyed by words. Taking into consideration ambiguity is important, because it shows that something needs further explanation. I have come across this in my subjects, where we have had to discuss the significance of certain words. For instance what does it mean that a treaty was "unfair "(a history example), whether some organism belongs to the plant or the fungi group (a Biology example)? There are many examples from my subjects to do with ambiguity.
