REFLECTION WEEK 1 (LANGUAGE)

LANGUAGE

In this semester, I need to take a new subject which is English For Language Teacher. This subject is being taught by Madam Ira. From our first lecture, I found out that the whole course would touch about language.

Language produces to communicate

Actually, we do learn about language but I am sure that we did not go any deeper into it. So, this time we would peel off the subject in detail. We are going to learn about phonology, morphology and syntax. We have learned that before but in Bahasa Melayu. I think that learning language in Bahasa Melayu is much easier than in English. This subject will test my ability in learning language in English.

Before I go further, I would like to share a quote about language. This quote is taken from Robert Louis Stevenson who is a Scottish Essayist, Poet and Author of fiction and travel books in year 1850-1894. He stated that:-

“The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean”

I think that I agree with what he said, because without language, we can express our feeling, thoughts and ideas. Beside language, we cannot communicate with one another.

Based on the lecture from Madam Ira, I found out that language can be defined as a code that enables us to communicate or express ideas and thoughts with meaningful words. Language also needs a structure which enables the users of the language easier to understand what we are trying to tell them.

The following can describe more about language:-

1. Language is a Code

2. Linguistic symbols have function and form

3. Linguistic units are constructed according to rules

4. Language use is creative

5. Language use is constrained by culture

6. Language use is constrained by people, media, dialect etc.

Besides that, we also learn about language and culture. Language and culture are related. Both phenomena are unique to humans. Language, of course, is determined by culture although that there are many people debating on this topic. More information about language and culture, visit http://library.thinkquest.org/C004367/la5.shtml.

Now, we are moving to communication. Communication can best described as followed:-

Conceptual components in communication (from Dance)
1. Symbols/Verbal/Speech	“Communication is the verbal interchange of thought or idea” (Hoben, 1954).
2. Understanding	“Communication is the process by which we understand others and in turn endeavor to be understood by them. It is dynamic, constantly changing and shifting in response to the total situation” (Anderson, 1959).
3. Interaction/ Relationship/ Social Process	“Interaction, even on the biological level, is a kind of communication; otherwise common acts could not occur” (Mead, reprinted 1963).

This shows that communication can be symbols, can be for understanding as well as social interaction. Communication can be divided into two, verbal and non-verbal. For me, both types of communication is important because both of it represents meaning for us to understand. The following videos explain more about non-verbal communication.

Now, we are moving on speaking and writing. Both of this skills is important because usually we need to speak and writing to express our feeling. More information, http://www2.wmin.ac.uk/eic/learning-skills/literacy/sp_vs_writ_dif.shtml

I like language actually especially when it is English. I feel grateful to learn English for I can speak another language in my life and of course speak to foreigners. Language is an expression of ideas, feelings through sound, body language, gestures, writing and facial expression. Wow! I never thought that about half of what we are doing daily involved language.

In the lecture, we were only being introduced into some parts of the whole course which is the introduction about language. I hope that I can enjoy the other lesson in future.