Pratt

As stated in my previous blog about Pratt's essay, "Arts of the Contact Zone", I believe that her "underlying assumptions" surround the belief that culture and language are interlaced with one another in everyday life. Language is necessary for existence, which in turn creates varying cultures. Similiarities bring people together and due to these likenesses, a separate language, understood by the members of this culture, was created in order to share a more personal connection and understanding of one another. Ideas and feelings are expressed through language, whether it be orally or by facial expressions, others can read them and respond. I think that Pratt is trying to show her audience that many people take for granted the fact that they can communicate with other human beings, but everyone should actually be cherishing the fact that this is at all possible. Without communication and learning of languages, even those that differ from our born/native language, one would not be able to progress in the world of thinking, sharing ideas, literature, or culture. Without language, no matter what that language may be, people all over the world would be at a loss, and would probably not be able to survive.