What things stood out to you in each of the videos?

In John McWhorter’s video, it is evident that texting is not a scourge but a whole new way of writing that young people are developing which they are using alongside their ordinary writing skills. In Lera Boroditsky’s video it is evident that language shapes the way we think in a variety of ways, such as having big, deep, broad and really early effects on us as well as shaping things that have personal weight to us. In Mark Pagel’s video it is evident that as compared to other animals, humans learn by watching others or imitating what they do, thereby accumulating ideas and advancing technological processes.

What were your reactions as you watched? Were you surprised? Did you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing?

On listening to the videos, I got interested in learning people’s perception of languages and how languages influence our daily lives. At some point, I got surprised because I acquired information that I had never really thought of. For example, I learnt that chimpanzees lacked social learning. This is the ability to learn from what others do by copying or imitating. Additionally, I found myself agreeing with almost everything the speakers talked about. This is because behind every theory, they had evidence to support it.

Do you have experience with code-switching as McWhorter describes in the first video? What is your experience like shifting the languages you use or the way you express yourself in your conversations depending on who you are talking to?

In reference to the first video, I have found myself code-switching numerous times and for numerous reasons. Sometimes it happens accidentally, however, most of the time it’s intentional. I mostly code-switch to express more nuanced attitudes or emotions such as excitement and joy. This mostly occurs when am speaking to my family members.

Has working with these resources changed how you view language and audience? Why or why not?

On listening to the three videos, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge on people’s different views concerning language and how language influences our lives. I also perceive language differently since I now view texting as a serious form of writing just as speech is as well as understanding people’s different mentalities as a result of their language.

How and in what ways will this new knowledge from these videos change or modify how you write academically and for this class?

Since language allows us to implant a thought from our mind directly to someone else’s mind. I plan to benefit from others ideas and build from their wisdom and as a result improve my writing skills.

What were your biggest takeaways or AHA moments from each video? Please share a favorite line or two with us.

My favorite line from John McWhorter’s video was when he said “Although texting involves writing it is fingered speech.” This means that texting is very loose in its structure, which is almost similar to talking. My favorite line from Lera Boroditsky’s video was when she said “Languages differ in how they describe events”. This means that people who speak different languages will pay attention to different things depending on what their language usually requires them to do. My favorite line from Mark Pagel’s video was when he said “Different languages slow the flow of ideas between groups”. This is because they impose a barrier to the transfer of goods, and ideas, etc.

Discussion on Language

Thesis Statement: In John McWhorter’s video, it is evident that texting is not a scourge but a whole new way of writing that young people are developing which they are using alongside their ordinary writing skills.

1. What things stood out to you in each of the videos? (This answer should cover at least one thing from each video.)
2. What were your reactions as you watched? Were you surprised? Did you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing?
3. Do you have experience with code-switching as McWhorter describes in the first video? What is your experience like shifting the languages you use or the way you express yourself in your conversations depending on who you are talking to?
4. Has working with these resources changed how you view language and audience? Why or why not?
5. How and in what ways will this new knowledge from these videos change or modify how you write academically and for this class?
6. What were your biggest takeaways or AHA moments from each video? Please share a favorite line or two with us.