Hello again everyone, it's Erin.
I'm posting this time not to put down my thoughts (although I might later), but to pose some questions. Hayakawa's book is about language. How is are these principles (or aren't) relevant to us in our daily lives? Even though we've read this book, will we use some of his principles when we speak, listen to others talk, or read? Just how much concern does the average person have about the use of language? Will we be changed (probably not drastically, but some change) by reading this book? How effective was that change (if you did change)?
Feel free to add more questions if you'd like.
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5 comments:
Though we have not yet finished the book, the half that we have read has given us some very important information. Some of it has been completely new, like extensional and intensional meanings, and the types of abstraction used in chapter 8. But some of it has been merely putting into words what we have always known about language, and given certain principles (or ideas) names, like directives. I know for sure that this has changed my view of language on the whole. I now see it as continuously changing, whereas before I saw the dictionary as the key to understanding language.
But how much of this book can we use in everyday life? An average day (considering school) will be filled with mathematical and scientific terms and ideas, which are not much affected by language. However, considering that I, and other members of our class, participate in debate (such as mock trial or model congresses), I think that much has been learned in that regard. After all, as Hayakawa says in the preface, "Words that convey no information may nevertheless move carloads of shaving cream or cake mix..." (page x). In the end, I think we should strive to incorporate this book into everyday life as much as possible, and to remember that the more we understand language the better we can control it.
I found this book insightful, a lot of the concepts I had never contemplated before. It was interesting to get a deeper look into how we use language, and what actually contributes to the words that come out of our mouths and are written onto a page.
As much as I wish I could say that I will use his principles when I speak, talk, write, and think, I’m fairly certain I won’t. I will continue to use words that will be misunderstood, I will continue to use words that will start a ceaseless argument, and basically misuse language altogether.
I’m going to try to use language properly, but after about 14 years of misusing it, it will be hard to change my ways. Besides, even though we have read the book and understand Hayakawa’s principles, many of our friends and family around us will continue to use language in what might be referred to as ‘blissful ignorance’. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I believe that in order to change the way you think and respond to language your environment must help not hinder your changes.
There was one area that I became more aware of in my everyday life, which was mostly referred to in Chapter 5. Often times I get into arguments with my parents and my sister simply because of the way I say something and not the actual words I use. Some people refer to this as ‘giving someone attitude/sass’. I’ve become more aware of how I say some things, but not essentially the language I use.
So perhaps finding a way to teach children these types of principles in a way they can understand before they begin to misuse it would the most beneficial step in the proper use and control of language.
Paige:
Words, tone of voice, and overall language affects us more than we can every fully understand. Hayakawa has opened our eyes to the power of words, but I agree with Donna, and I still will continue to make mistakes in the words of language.
However the principles I have learned will undoubtably continue to affect how I speak and act since they are based of the reality of how society works. As Hayakawa clearly states in Chapter 1, "Language is the indispensable mechanism of human life-" I am altered and changed by not only Hayakawa's writing, but by every word I listen to, and process. This snowball effect of learning directly influences how my mind and body interacts with my environment of language on a day to day basis.
I think this is a very interesting topic. I agree that I believe my way of speaking will not drastically change this year. A lot of the book's observations, although true are not always detrimental to our language or civilization. Symbolism, when the "word is not the thing" when you can say a word and incite different meanings and thoughts is an awesome power to have even if it causes a bit of confusion.
(Oh, before I forget it's Erin again.) I found Hayakawa's concepts and ideas about language very interesting. I could understand better than before ideas like connotation (as opposed to "this word is bad" - why is it bad? it's affective connotation - or intensional meaning - is negative). The idea that the word isn't the thing it stands for (and other concepts) was relatively new to me but they were explained very well and in doing the scrapbook I was able to put ideas into practice and see their applications. However, I agree with the inevitable fact that old habits die hard - I probably won't change much in how I communicate. But you never know. Now I can see different principles used and have a name for them (like symbolism) and can see them in my daily life, someone else's words, or my own words.
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