Language by its very definition can’t be unsuccessful
because it was made to be just as elastic as the thoughts we want to
communicate are. Toni Morrison disapproves language that is “unyielding”.
“Unyielding” language is language used by governments that is intended to
control or suppress people, since it was made to not change. Morrison says language is supposed to yield.
Many older people make fun of what language is now, shortened, casual-ized. But
Morrison would say that this is what language is supposed to do. It is supposed
to yield to change so we can communicate our thoughts that we are having in the
present. Language was successful for Ildefonso. Before learning language,
Ildefonso’s only way to communicate was through a time consuming process of repeating
what his friends act out. Years later, he describes the time he did not know
language as a dark period of his life. While he was communicating before, he
was not able to communicate in an effective way or on a deeper level. Ildefonso
could not communicate feelings, or thoughts by acting them out, he could only
act out actions. Language allowed Ildefonso to communicate with people outside
his friend group in a way known universally (sign language) which allowed him
to think on a deeper level since he could conceptualize what he was thinking
with language. Language was successful for Gloria Anzaldua in a different way.
Language allowed Anazaldua to form her identity as mestiza. She associated
parts of herself to the languages she spoke (Standard English, Working class
English, Standard Spanish etc.…). Not only was she able to communicate with
these languages, but communicate who she was by using them. Language is used
for more reasons that asking “what time is it?” “Where is this building?” “What
time does this start?” It is used for “How are you?” “Are you feeling alright?”
“How can I help you?” Yes, we can communicate without language, but we aren’t
able to speak to each other effectively. We wouldn’t be able to effectively
tell people our feelings, about our lives, what news we’ve heard, things we do
everyday.
I feel as if Language is an effective way to communicate, but it won't be interpreted exactly the same between one another. Language is like a set of standards that everyone knows and is familiar with but each has their own meaning of it. For example, If I say that chicken is "good" the rules are set up by language so that the word "good" is supposed to mean something pleasant and positive. Now here is where i see the faults in language, everybody has their own meaning of "good". Being that there is so many people in the world we will never all think as one so language, I believe, is there just so we can be on the same page. Language has done a good job in helping a large population communicate with one another. There are still times where we still have difficulties with communicating with each other just because we interpret things differently. I see this as a problem that will always go on forever and will never have solution, especially as long as the world keeps growing and growing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Karla one hundred percent. I also feel like that language is an essential to how we function in life. It helps us communicate better with each other. For example, how are we going to get an education without language, teachers have to talk to you out loud. This example shows us that language is a fundamental we all need to survive in this world.
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