This blog reflects the course Communication 335: Language in Human Communication. We'll explore the role of language, focus on the field of sociolinguistics, as well as focus on how language works as a cultural instrument.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Language Matters: Questions
Do you agree that we can come to some kind of common ground with communication when there is a language barrier? When has language ever been a barrier for you?
Language has been a barrier a lot of times when someone is from somewhere else, it's difficult to understand them and one word of theirs may mean something completely different to us in the United States. Heck, in the United States, different words mean different things to other people, for instance "milkshake", "lollipop", etc. have taken on different meanings. They were once delicious goodies, but because of rap music, they have taken on completely new meanings and mean, as far as I know, dirty things. You really have to watch what you say these days because something that seems harmless to you, may be extremely insulting or harmful to someone else. Oh, another word, "gay" used to mean "being happy" but now its used to say if you are homosexual, or sometimes people use it if you're being stupid. Barriers are all over the place.
Language has been a barrier a lot of times when someone is from somewhere else, it's difficult to understand them and one word of theirs may mean something completely different to us in the United States. Heck, in the United States, different words mean different things to other people, for instance "milkshake", "lollipop", etc. have taken on different meanings. They were once delicious goodies, but because of rap music, they have taken on completely new meanings and mean, as far as I know, dirty things. You really have to watch what you say these days because something that seems harmless to you, may be extremely insulting or harmful to someone else. Oh, another word, "gay" used to mean "being happy" but now its used to say if you are homosexual, or sometimes people use it if you're being stupid. Barriers are all over the place.
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