What are the arguments on both sides of the debate in promoting a single language?
The arguments in favor of promoting a single language are that the language is dying and needs to be saved; that a culture is being lost and we must do everything in our power to keep this from happening. That if we don't save it a piece of human history is lost forever. The arguments against promoting a single language argue that it is fiscally and realistically impossible to save a language no one wants to speak anymore. The idea behind this argument being that it would cost a great deal of money and that no one wants to speak it anyway, so why bother saving it?
How far should we go to save a dying language? What are the financial and cultural implications?
In my opinion, the extent to which we should go to save a dying language is dependent on the value of the language to modern-day society. The major cultural implication would be the fact that the world lost another culture, but this is inevitably the way humans interact, some cultures become dominant, but all eventually die, and new ones arise. Financialy, the elimination of a lanuguage has nothing but good implications, as there would then be one less language that could result in misunderstandings and mistraslations, which could create negative financial affects.
After reading: Every Teacher is a Language Teacher, what do think of the I.B. supporting International Mother Language Day?
The IB endorsing International Mother Language Day could create some problems. One being that if the student's mother language is only spoken by him and no one else, communication would become problematic. The idea that an organization needs to promote the speaking of a langauge should be taken as a sign that the language is dying; if you have to force people to speak it, then what's the point? Also, the banning of English in some of the schools, is in and of it self, an oxymoron, as some people's mother language is English.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Earth vs. Eyeth
a) What is the primary argument of the students representing Deaf Culture?
That the new president had grown up without signing and they seem to think that because she use primarily "oralist" methods that she is not part of their community. That she betrayed the deaf community by learning to read lips and to talk, and they cannot allow a "traitor" to be their president.
b) Why would the Deaf Culture students value a President of Gallaudet who spends more time in Eyeth over Earth? Shouldn't a President of a college represent all students?
Because they believe that they are an oppressed minority and deserve a president who shares that belief and the idea that the University must be protected for themselves. Because they feel that hearing people have oppressed them for to long, and want their own place away from hearing people.
c) What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Deaf person spending too much time in either Eyeth or Earth?
The advantage of spending too much time in Eyeth would be the fact that they would be able to connect with people like themselves, but at the same time would be cut off from the rest of the world. The opposite is true if the spend to much time on Earth; they become disconnected from people like themselves but remain plugged into the world.
d) What is your opinion of the fight at Galludet? Should Jane K. Fernandes be President of Gallaudet?
I think she should be president. Whether she is "not deaf enough" is not relevant to me. If she is good president material, then she should be president.
That the new president had grown up without signing and they seem to think that because she use primarily "oralist" methods that she is not part of their community. That she betrayed the deaf community by learning to read lips and to talk, and they cannot allow a "traitor" to be their president.
b) Why would the Deaf Culture students value a President of Gallaudet who spends more time in Eyeth over Earth? Shouldn't a President of a college represent all students?
Because they believe that they are an oppressed minority and deserve a president who shares that belief and the idea that the University must be protected for themselves. Because they feel that hearing people have oppressed them for to long, and want their own place away from hearing people.
c) What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Deaf person spending too much time in either Eyeth or Earth?
The advantage of spending too much time in Eyeth would be the fact that they would be able to connect with people like themselves, but at the same time would be cut off from the rest of the world. The opposite is true if the spend to much time on Earth; they become disconnected from people like themselves but remain plugged into the world.
d) What is your opinion of the fight at Galludet? Should Jane K. Fernandes be President of Gallaudet?
I think she should be president. Whether she is "not deaf enough" is not relevant to me. If she is good president material, then she should be president.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Measured Man 7 5-10
5.)How does Abel differentiate between Reference and Naming?
Reference is merely a word used to refer to something general, while naming is a distinctly human act, and is something.
6.)On page 66, Abel explains the historical significance of naming. Can you think of any examples he left out? Is there any contemporary example of which Abel would not be aware?
I cannot think of any other historical examples or any contemporary example
7.)What is the main function of naming? What doesn’t it do?
The main function of naming is to identify something with a word that means something. To identify, describe and show what the namee is. A human thing, to convey the unconveyable.
8.)What is the difference between sense and reference?
The difference between reference and sense is the fact that sense is what you feel and think and believe, while reference is merely talking about something else.
9.)How does Abel differentiate between Connotation and Denotation? What about Intension and Extension?
He says that Connotation is what you think of when you hear a word- ones that you know, while denotation is all the things in the world that fit that word. Intension is what is meant, while Extension is everything that could have been meant.
10.)What does Abel mean when he says: “Though meanings require words, they are not identical to words.” (p. 68)?
He means that meanings are described through words but have characteristics that are not expressed by words; they take on their own significance.
Reference is merely a word used to refer to something general, while naming is a distinctly human act, and is something.
6.)On page 66, Abel explains the historical significance of naming. Can you think of any examples he left out? Is there any contemporary example of which Abel would not be aware?
I cannot think of any other historical examples or any contemporary example
7.)What is the main function of naming? What doesn’t it do?
The main function of naming is to identify something with a word that means something. To identify, describe and show what the namee is. A human thing, to convey the unconveyable.
8.)What is the difference between sense and reference?
The difference between reference and sense is the fact that sense is what you feel and think and believe, while reference is merely talking about something else.
9.)How does Abel differentiate between Connotation and Denotation? What about Intension and Extension?
He says that Connotation is what you think of when you hear a word- ones that you know, while denotation is all the things in the world that fit that word. Intension is what is meant, while Extension is everything that could have been meant.
10.)What does Abel mean when he says: “Though meanings require words, they are not identical to words.” (p. 68)?
He means that meanings are described through words but have characteristics that are not expressed by words; they take on their own significance.
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