Language - An Essential Element of a Human

Language is a part of every single person's life and you can never get away from it, no matter how hard you try, which is why I based my paper around that topic. I went off in a few directions such as what language means to a person, to a country, to the world, etc. Since Pratt’s essay involved the contact zone and how evident it is in every person’s life, I used some of her ideas involving what she calls a “speech community”. The “speech community” takes a deeper look at language and how people use this community as a place to exchange ideas through speaking, writing, and behavior.

I also found a section in Kumar’s essay about language which is talking about the differences of languages among different types of people. There are so many different cultures in this world, in which language makes up such a huge part of a culture, making this section of Kumar’s writing so unique.

The ideas that I found in Pratt and Kumar’s essays show the importance of language, which is supporting my argument of how imperative language is in everyone’s life.

I tried to revise my abstract, but I don't know if I got anywhere with it. I tried though. I won't be in class though(I'm not feeling well at all)...but I'll see you guys on Wednesday!

Oh. English class?

After having been assigned this paper I-don't-know-how-many-weeks-ago and having a not so great stretch since last Wednesday, I have yet to be productive enough to create something that I didn't feel like throwing out after a few sentences.

So far, I have formulated several ideas that I hope to embellish. First, I approach the issue of the lack of billingualism among the vast majority of Americans and the problems that arise domestically and internationally as the result. Next, I intend to analyze the cultural ramifications of our de facto unity of language. Finally, I plan to outline educational programs that are being implemented now to encourage the mastering of a second language, and I also hope to make some suggestions myself.


Also, I hear Mahoney's a straight-up criminal? I'm going to start sitting in the back of the room. Or maybe move my seat closer to the door.

abstract

The topic of this paper is cultural choice. Cultural choice is the freedom to choose and adapt the characteristics from one's own and other cultures in developing one's own cultural identity. This paper will discuss the Japanese occupation of Korea, and the effects that it had on the culture. This projects presents the idea of cultural choice and voices the opinion that people shouild not be forced to adopt customs, cultures or languages that they do not want to, instead they should have the option of creaing their own cultural identity. I will bring my own perspective into this paper and discuss how cultural choice is good because the whole world is affected by other cultures.

More of my Insanity

Those of you that haven't already decided I was crazy probably will shortly.

Having said that, my paper uses Kumar's and Kim's essays as a basis for stating my opinions on culture and why/how the human race is effectively destroying the world, not just stating that it is. I begin where we left off in class in our discussion about the logic and practicality, or lack there of, of a national or global language. From there I go on to discuss what, in my opinion, the different cultures are and how they are affecting the world. I will later progress back to language and discuss my changed views from those I previously presented in class. I also reference a book called Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, where many of my ideas and opinions have come from. If any of you after having read this don't think I'm crazy, then I suggest you read that book.

i don't have anything yet

I think I'm still around the same point I was last class, with a very rough idea in my head of what I'm going to talk about, but it hasn't really unfolded yet. Like I said in class, I'm probably going to focus on languages as a main focal point, but I might draw a little bit from some of the texts we read other than Kumar's to get my point across.

I know I don't have anything, but I'm actually gonna come to class this time instead of skipping like I did during the last paper. Hopefully I'll be able to extract some extra ideas from this class so I can develop a better idea of what I will write about in my paper.

Abstract Numero 2

I haven't fully finished my paper yet, but I have a pretty good idea of where I am taking it, so far anyway.

My paper is mainly a disputation (is that a word?) of most of the works that we have read. I am using arguements from Kim's essay, Said's spiel, and Kumar's writing and disputing them, but I am trying to shape Pratt's piece into something that works for me, rather than against. As far as creating an air of conversation, I am attempting to sound as open as possible, via the use of questions (to engage the other conversers and to seem open-minded to other ideas) and by using a somewhat gentler syntax than most arguementative papers. I also start by stating clearly where I stand and how I have aquired the opinions and beliefs that I stand by. My biggest question: Is it okay to use personal experiences and beliefs to create an arguement? Most of my paper, it seems to me, is founded of experiences of my own, therefore, is it still a valid arguement? Or would facts make it more reliable?

Either way, I will probably continue with it as I started it. Just looking for input!

Abstractification

This work is an attempt to reason through the history behind modern language use and how it affects immigrants to the United States. It begins by looking at a few of the turning points in history that have led to the standardization of English as the language almost always used for education. It then follows to talk about a few of the other shortcomings of the current language system practiced by the dominant culture. Finally, it takes a look at a few possibilities for change and improvement of the dominant culture, to more fully accept new cultures into its own.

Paper 2 Overview

Let me start by saying that I apologize that I won't be in class with you guys today, but my stomach feels like it's knotting itself up and my head feels as if it's going to explode in 2.25 seconds! I hate being sick more than anything in this world, well almost anything...Although I'm not feeling the greatest, to say the least, I felt that I at least owed you guys, and girls, a little overview of what I think is going to go down here.

Okay, so I'm a little lost as to what our precise guidelines here are. I'm not real sure if we're supposed to use some of the essay(s) as part of our paper, but here's what I'm looking at so far.

My general ideas include language in its' every day use, language and how it's used in different cultures, language and it's effect, and language's help in the world's progression. Language and culture are somewhat interchangeable in that culture is directly connected with language and how it identifies a person and their history. Language is necessary for survival, not only in the same meaning as food, water, and oxygen, but in the sense that language and communication help us keep in touch with those that we love, those that we want to keep a watch on, and also the surrounding world and the events taking place. The importance of all of these things is influenced by our surroundings, or our culture. Culture spurs from language in that language gives us an identity so-to-speak, one in which we can be like "this is where i came from, what i've experienced, and what i believe in" that is unique not only with specific cultures, but sects of that culture depending on environment. This is basically all that I've got for now. I hope that it makes sense, and if not let me know in your comments because it might actually make me chuckle. Once again, I'm sorry I won't be in class, I wish I could be because it's my favorite, but I've somehow gotta make myself feel well for my 3 hour night class in which I can't miss because we have an exam next week:(.....Have a good one guys!

Abstract

In my paper, I focused a lot on the concept of language. Language is a part of every single person's life and you can never get away from it, no matter how hard you try. I went off in a few directions with it, such as what language means to a person, to a country, to the world, etc. I useds bits and pieces of Pratt's essay involving the contact zone and how evident it is in everyone's life. She takes the contact zone deeper into language and what she calls "speech communities". In these speech communities, people exchange ideas through speaking, writing, and behavior.

I also used the language section of Kumar's essay to help support my paper. Kumar talks about the difference of languages among people. I used the example she wrote about from the film, "Falling Down", because it illustrates the concept of language very well.

I am not completely done my paper, because I need to extend a lot of my thoughts. But this is best as I can do for my abstract.

My sad little abstract...

I am not entirely sure that I will have my draft finished tomorrow, but I have a very detailed outline that I have produced that I will now extract an abstract from:

In my paper (outline), I introduce the form Democracy took when the colonies separated from England and became the United States to get things going. Then, straying from the path a tiny bit I address the privilege of voting set down in the US Constitution and the suffrage movements that have led to voting being a civil right to all people. I present my views on the voting public, the voting process, the factors that lead people to not vote, and the media infuence on young voters (to get very specific). Interlaced throughout my paper, I talk about the views I have on these subjects, how they came to be, and how it was growing up with a very conservative father and hoping that he wouldn't kill me if I told him about my views about certain things.

Currently, I intend to quote Ian Angus (since his essay was all about democracy and how it has changed) and Mary Louise Pratt, and I have a few other online sources I will use as well.

<3 OmG pAsSpOrT pHoToZ lOl! <3

In my extreme boredom, I titled this post in typical middle school blog fashion. Also, I'm trying to crunch this in before my 2:00 class, so I'm probably gonna screw something up.

Anyway, in his article, Passport Photos, Kumar wants to demonstrate the feelings that an immigrant feels as he is integrated into our American culture. He begins with a quote from Salman Rushdie that compares a book to a passport. Like someone will read an overview of a book before opening it up and becoming familiar with the many subtle intricacies of it, the immigration officer looks at the outside appearance of the person and what's written on the passport and judges the person based on that.

He also uses many diverse examples from American life and pop culture to show his point. His pictures also have a lot of meaning behind them. The one on page 499, of homeless people sleeping within walking distance of the White House demonstrates a great constrast of economic status in such close proximity to one another, and it seems like the people in power, at the White House, don't really care that people without a home are sleeping outside of it. His picture of the shop advertisement on page 500 shows a misunderstanding of our language by people new to our country, and to a person on the outside, we may think that the people who run the store are stupid for not knowing our language, or look down upon then for whatever other reason. The picture of the road sign on the next page shows a similar language barrier that I looked at in my previous blog post about this article.

Passport Photos

Kumar's essay begins with a narration of an immigrant entering America. He explains how their passports are read almost as if they were a story of the immigrant's life. He continues through his article discussing how anybody that is not Caucasian is treated as a foreigner wethere or not they actually came from another country. He makes the point that a person could have been born here and there parents born here, but if they look asian or middle-eastern then many people still consider them a foreigner.

Pratt - Contact Zone

Mary Louise Pratt focuses on the contact zone in her essay, “Arts of the Contact Zone”. She seems to make the “underlying assumption” that the contact zone is not only a necessary part of everyday living but also something that brings contrast into everyone’s lives. From the contact zone, new ideas are spread, as well as cultures and languages. Pratt discussed “language being seen as living in ‘speech communities’”. People are able to communicate and share ideas between one another. Without these “speech communities” that are present in everyday life, people would have trouble spreading cultures, languages, and their ideas to one another.

This contact zone is so important because it contains such a huge concept of every human being’s life, whether they are young or old. Thoughts, messages, information and feelings are being communicated. We commonly exchange these ideas through speaking, writing, and behavior. Without these speech communities in this contact zone, Pratt is showing us how impossible life would be to get through.

kim

o no....I just wrote my blog and it was really good but the computer hates me and delted it when I tried to publish it and now I have to start over and write it again.
Kim uses historical examples to prove her point: That home is where the han is. She integrates her culture into the essay by using Korean words such as han, the sorrow and anger that grow from the accumulated experiences of oppression. She references historical events such as the Los Angeles riots, and the anti-Korean prejudices seen after it, the Japanese occupation of Korea and her own personal experiences with prejudice.
Kim tells of the los Angeles riots, how Korean properties were damaged, and how the law would not come to their aid. She also talks about the difficulties that Koreans faced when trying to become American. Then she goes on to tell about her personal experiences with prejudice, especially the hate mail she recieved after being published in Newsweek.
Kim implies in her essay that everyone who is not Korean is prejudiced against Koreans. In my own experience I have not seen this and this essay opened my eyes to the hardships Koreans face, especially in the U.S. I also learned some history, from Korea and the U.S.
The purpose of this essay was to change people's views about Koreans, this essay did not change my personal perceptions, becuase I am not the taret audience, but the arguments presented in this essay may be effective when used on the target audience, people who are prejudiced against people of Korean descent.

Kim's line of reasoning uses historical examples to prove her point: That Home is where the Han is. She integrates Korean culture on her essay by combining Korean words such as "han" into her work, but clearly defines it so the essay is understandable to people who are not Korean. She defines han as the sorrow and anger that grow from the accumulated experience of oppression.
Then Kim goes on to tell why the United States has become home to people from a Korean background, the different examples of "han" that they have experienced. She tells about the Los Angeles riot, and the unfair blame that was put on the Koreans, and she talks about the experience that many Koreans had trying to become American. She also tells about how life was in Korea, not much better than it is in the U.S.
Then she tells about her personal experience with prejudice, the hate mail she recieves after being published in newsweek.
The text's underlying assumptions are that every one who is not Korean is prejudiced against Korean's and this implies that she is writing to try and change every one's opinion. Personally I assume that not many people are prejudiced against Koreans becuase I have never seen this this racism, nor heard about it before. In fact in my limited experience, in my taekwon-do class the Korean students are treated better, and given special attention because it is assumed that they will be naturally talented at martial arts. This essay really opened my eyes to the prejudices and taught me about history, not only of Korea, but of the U.S., however it did not change my opinion about Koreans as an ethnic group, becuase I was not the target audience for this essay.

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.

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.

Passport photosb

Kumar opens her article by introducing us to the wonderful world of passport "books;" and describes how many immigrants are read strictly through the information printed on their passports. In a sense, we judge the "person" by the passport; just like the term 'judging a book by its cover,' we judge who and what a person is by where they are from and what language they speak. As we progress through the article there are more and more articulations of this, by way of how we group people (generalizations) and how we percieve them (socioeconomic status, language, etc.) She also expresses the view that we do not only make assumptions about these people, but that we hold them to certain standards or expectations, and that we discriminate them based off of what we initially percieve them to be. Especially in the excerpts that she places within the text is this point drawn out (ie the Guns N Roses lyrics). Her view seems to be that from their first steps off the plane all the way up until they have become fully "americanized" they are stereotyped by their skin color and speach. Her claims lie in the outright actions and words of 'real' Americans, as well as the sublties which give away our stereotypes.

Han

"Home is Where the Han Is" has a very distinct line of reasoning. Elaine Kim takes the reader through her reasoning in a very methodical fashion. She states in the beginning two paragraphs her intent, to look at the treatment of Korean-Americans, and try to decide how long it is going to take for Korean-Americans to truly be accepted in the Untied States.

She begins by discussing the conflicts that happened during the Los Angeles riots. She brings up the idea that all of the tensions are furthered by the media. She is attempting to show people the inequities; not only those that are inherint, but those that are added to.

Another important idea that Kim brings up in her piece is how Korean Americans are to become "Americanized." Kim works under the assumption that all Korean-Americans are not accepted. Unlike her, my experiences have led me to see that there are many Korean-Americans that are seen as fully included into the "American" society.

Finally, Kim writes as though she is trying to persuade people that are against Korean-American acceptance. However, many of the people that she is writing for, for example our class, are for the most part all for the incorporation of Korean culture into mainstream U. S. culture. In this way, she is not necessarily reaching the people that she could be. Her Newsweek article was the most effective for those ends. One of her key final lines of thought deals with the idea that the exclusion and discrimination that the Korean Americans encountered are part of the "acceptance" process of the United States culture.

Said

So I got through this and was like, hmmm... maybe somebody else knows what the hell Said was talking about. Apparently I was wrong but at least this way I don't feel quite so stupid. The only thing I really got out of this was something about how Western Culture is destroying the rest of the world. Assuming I'm right, which is assuming a lot, I agree. Also assuming I'm right, I suggest that everybody reads Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. It talks about the same kind of stuff but has three major important differences. Its interesting, it uses normal language, and it uses references that most semi-literate Americans would know.