How languages shape us

First assignment of language unit

The video we watched

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKK7wGAYP6k

Notes I took on the videos

• people form thoughts based off of what you say
• does language shape the way we think
• south east pointing activity
• language divides up everything and provides boundaries
• people who speak different languages will pay attention to different things
• language can have deep affects on how we see colour and math.
• language can shape the personal weight it has over us
• languages are living things
• we lose one language a week

PRE WATCHING OF THE VIDEO QUESTIONS:

1. Write down at least ten words that come to mind when you think about language.
– communication
– literacy
– history
– knowledge
– speaking
– emotion
– connection
– understanding
– difference
– politics
– structure
– messages
– reading
– work

2. Have you ever thought about language and the power of language?
  a. Give an 3 examples of language that helps you to express yourself?

When i speak with my parents in Turkish, in an English speaking country, I actually get to connect to them. Because when I learned Turkish a whole new world opened up for me that also means an ability to actually form a close relationship with my parents and have connections overseas.
Knowing English allows me to communicate duress, and seek for help when I need it, having a language barrier is tough and limiting for those who experience it.
I also believe that knowing English version of me is different and the Turkish version of me is different, what i mean by that brings me back to my first point where i said that it opened a new world form (being bilingual). What I mean is I now have my foot in two different political views, and cultures, so growing up in that environment sets me aside from a pure Canadian individual because I have a part of culture and opinions from another nation.

POST WATCHING QUESTIONS:

• What do you think about language and its effects on your thoughts?

When watching this video I think that a good example to pull from is when the spokesperson shed light on the different forms of speaking. Instead of saying “I broke the vase.” in English, in any other language you would say “The vase broke.” This showed me that when I speak in English I attach more emotions to my sentences, or even things that don’t have a negative connotation, my speech adds it. But in Turkish this does not happen and I can easily say I am usually happier when I am speaking Turkish, which may sound a little out there, but it is true for me. When I speak Turkish I usually speak less negatively about myself, actually I rarely do, but in English that is different. Also Turkish is super easy, and less complicated, it is complex but straightforward at the same time.

• Do you agree with Lera Boroditsky or do you think language can be seen independently? Provide 2 examples to prove your point.

I agree entirely, I never actually thought in depth about it in the way that Boroditsky has, but for example I would say that Turkish has impacted the way I form connections in society, it has made me more social and has even been a huge part in me developing humour, which is a major part of my personality. Also language affects my thoughts, I think in English and Turkish, this is not something I spare attention for, but when I focus on it is so interesting to me because my Turkish thoughts are always in specific categories and vice versa.