tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351443895953051196.post8808339323855445264..comments2016-06-03T07:08:41.125-07:00Comments on Jules: Language BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697309930010788847noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351443895953051196.post-17633594807963108192016-04-29T22:47:23.557-07:002016-04-29T22:47:23.557-07:00An initial clarification: 'Symbolic language&...An initial clarification: 'Symbolic language' is a language which uses a system of a limited number of symbols ('letters') to create an essentially unlimited number of combinations of those symbols ('words') to produce a language. So an example of a symbolic language would be English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Manderin, but ASL (or "Sign language") would also qualify as the motions used by the hands are also symbols used in combination to produce a limitless language. In anthropology and linguistics, "Signs" are images or shapes or objects that mean something complete to us on their own and can't be converted into anything else. For example, a stop sign is one object that means one thing to us... "stop". Body language is also considered to be a language using signs. So for part 1, you could use only body language (or 'signs') but not spoken, written or ASL, which are all considered symbolic language.<br /><br />Otherwise, good description of your part 1 experiment, including how your partners responded.<br /><br />"I believe the culture that does not speak can communicate better only because language can be foreign and therefore misunderstood. "<br /><br />But that wasn't the question (though I do see you address this later). Which culture would have an easier time communicating 'complex ideas'. So could you explain Einstein's theory of relativity or Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection without symbolic language? I couldn't! In fact, I suggest that science itself would be impossible without symbolic language.<br /><br />I agree that those who are deaf are an accurate parallel to the experiment you conducted in part 1. Another example would be immigrant populations, who don't know the language of their new country. Think about how our immigrant population can be treated and the attitude toward those who don't speak the English language.<br /><br />Beyond emotion and message clarity, body language is also used by humans as a lie detector. If someone tells you something but their body language tells you something different, which do you believe, the words or the body language? We tend to not believe a person when their body belies their words, and think about how this helps people when interacting with others. This would help you figure out who to trust, who to work with, and who to avoid, very important pieces of information when living among others.<br /><br />Good discussion on situations where people might have difficulty reading body language. Those who are blind definitely have difficulty, but they still read vocal intonation. Another example would be individuals who are in the autism spectrum are unable to read body language, which creates many of the social complications they face. You raise the point regarding people from another culture, and this is very astute. It is true that all cultures use different systems of body language.<br /><br />But that makes me wonder why you didn't raise this point in the next section, identifying situations where it might be good to ignore body language because it is giving you false information? Just flip the situation around. Imagine that YOU are the immigrant in a new country, faced with a system of body language foreign to you. Might it be a good idea to ignore body language until you had learned how to interpret it?<br /><br />Very good final discussion on the issue of written language, particularly how you explored the issue of how recording history is of benefit to human populations. Well done.L Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08257404167710713925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351443895953051196.post-7038915065708891442016-04-29T22:04:02.388-07:002016-04-29T22:04:02.388-07:00Hi Julianne!
Your description of the experiment w...Hi Julianne!<br /><br />Your description of the experiment was very clear - I felt like I was in the room with you, watching you try to communicate vacation plans to your husband! I think it's really interesting how people who don't understand the message you're trying to convey start to try communicating with you in the same manner that you're communicating with them. (I noticed it on my shift at work today, too - people who didn't speak English started using signs with me, and I would naturally attempt to give them signs as well with my hands, facial expressions, and tone of voice, because I couldn't speak their language...super interesting!)<br /><br />I think my favorite part of your post was from part 2 of the experiment, as you were discussing body language. Prior to this experiment, I never would have thought to consider body language in foreign countries as a disadvantage (and looking back on it, I can't believe I didn't pick up on it!). I appreciated that you mentioned it and expanded on it a bit. There are certain gestures in our country that would be interpreted in a completely different way in another country. Thanks for making me think a little deeper about how body language, though prevalent all around the world, and its interpretations are affected by our cultures!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351443895953051196.post-30383703538002333962016-04-29T20:16:30.079-07:002016-04-29T20:16:30.079-07:00Hello Julianne, I was very taken with your explana...Hello Julianne, I was very taken with your explanation of how the those who speak with just body language would be better off because in written language there are so many different ways to say just one thing but when showing with hand gestures or pointing it is universal what you do typically because it is more instinctive I would say and I thought that was a very good point of yours and enjoyed reading about it, Thank you<br />KennethKenneth Ual Cultural Anthropologyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120234362186131778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351443895953051196.post-17895972525517305992016-04-29T19:18:06.606-07:002016-04-29T19:18:06.606-07:00Hi Julianne,
In terms of not using any body lang...Hi Julianne,<br /><br /> In terms of not using any body language or gestures during experiment two, it was also very difficult for me to get an emotional response from my partner. I find that using body language, hand gestures, and tones in my voice really brings out a person’s emotions and enthusiasm. It heightens our points and brings the listener into our conversation. It really shows our personality and passions with more clarity, therefore it is extremely important. I agree that spoken language does save time as well, since it is able to clearly state your thoughts. I enjoyed reading your blog post!<br /><br />MarlonCultural Anthroshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397482684585990723noreply@blogger.com