Vivian Zhou PD 3
5/11/20
Sophomores 2020
Blogger #34
Aim: How does language construct and impact thought?
Overview of Lesson
To start off the lesson, we did a Shakespearen insult. There were three columns and we had to pick out three words (one from each column) to make an insult. One of my insults was thou greasy —> empty-hearted —> egg-shell, which I believed meant you are a gross, empty-heart, worthless person. The class said the activity was somewhat hard since we did not know the definition of the words. This limited our ability to understand what we wanted to. This tied in with today’s lesson on how language impacts our thoughts. Since we have the limited ability to understand the word, it made it harder to understand what we were trying to say in our insult.
We then moved on to Newspeak, which is a totalitarian superstate in 1984. Newspeak has the ability to control what the people think. By restricting vocabulary and content, the people can only think and believe in what the government states. In 1984, we see that the government uses a lot of propaganda posters that state, “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.” Through this it can bring fear to the people, since the people know that the government is watching them.
We then move on to a video on how languages shape the way we think. The speaker, Lera Borodistsky, asked a question on whether the language we speak affects the way we think. She gave an example by using direction. She asked the audience to point southeast, and the audience pointed in different directions. This showed that language did affect the way we think, since different people interpreted the word in different ways. She also gave another example through time. An English speaker may arrange time from left to right, while an Arabic or Hebrew speaker may arrange time from right to left due to their writing direction.
After the video, we played a taboo game where we had to describe an IPad without using Apple, device, electronic, tablet, and toy. I came up with the words, Safari, technology, and home button. Most of the class believed the activity was difficult since we wanted to use the 5 words to describe that word. Now that it is restricted from us, we cannot think of other words to describe that word. We did another taboo where we had to create 5 words that describe the main word (belief, equality, freedom, integrity, pride). I used the word equality, and I used the words, equal, rights, fairness, justice, and equally, to describe it. Some of the class believe this taboo was easier than the previous taboo since no words were restricted from us. Some believe it was equally as hard as the previous taboo due to the complexity of the word. Words like equality and freedom had a bigger meaning than iPad. They can also be interpreted differently.
At the end of the lesson we had a whole class discussion on the takeaways of today’s lesson. Through this lesson, we believe that language did have an impact on how we think. Language affects the way we look at the world. Since we come from different ethnicities and families, our ethnic and family backgrounds may affect how we view a certain topic. One person may think this political leader is right for the country, while another person can disagree. This is affected by our language and ethnic and family backgrounds.
Reflection
What did I learn?
Through these activities and the video, it helped teach me that language does affect the way we think. Through the Shakespearen insult activity, it helped teach me that our lack of understanding due to the language being used affects how we think. Since we are not used to the language provided to us, it makes it hard for us to comprehend the words. The video implied that, due to different languages, people may think differently as shown through the English, Arabic, and Hebrew speaker example. The taboo game showed that the restriction of words limits people’s knowledge and thoughts. Since we know what the restricted words are, we were only able to think about the restricted words. This stopped us from coming up with new words.
Why did I learn it?
The reason why we learned this is because we can relate this back to the book, 1984. Since Newspeak restricted the people to only certain contents and vocabulary, it made the people think a certain way. Since the Party was a totalitarian political regime, they wanted full power to themselves. By censoring certain contents, they were able to control the people’s mind, so the people would not think a certain way that may be a threat to their government. We also learned it since it taught us why languages are so unique. We cannot imagine a world without language. Everyone communicates through language, but through different types of language. Some people communicate verbally, while some people communicate through hand gestures (sign language). Today’s lesson showed us that language is an important part of the human culture.
How will I use what I learned?
I can use what I learned today in real life experiences. Especially during this time under this pandemic, we are not sure on what we can trust and not trust. Instead of believing in what the news tells us, I should do my research to make sure what the news told me is accurate. For example, if different news outlets state the same information, then there is a possibility that the information is true. This can also teach me to not always route for the popular side. Since everyone has a way to manipulate you, I would make sure to do my research first before choosing a side.
What is it like working from home?
Working from home, in my opinion, is not as difficult compared to working at school. Since I live far away from the school, I usually have to wake up around 5:30 everyday to get to school, since my commute is about an hour and a half. However, when I work from home, I can wake up at 8 or 8:30. In my opinion, I feel more awake when I work from home rather than working from school. We also have more time to complete assignments since we are at home all day compared to when we were at school for almost the whole day. However, when you work from home, it’s harder to ask questions or get suggestions from teachers. Back when we were at school, we could always set up times when we can talk with the teacher or stay after class to talk with the teacher. Now, it is more difficult to do that. Even though there’s always an option through google classroom and email, teachers may not be able to get back to us since they are busy like us. While working at home, I do have more downtime than when I work at school. This could be due to commute time which takes up about a fourth of my day. Through this downtime, I find more time to read and maybe even exercise, since being under quarantine is the best time to exercise.
What are the updates around the world/community regarding the virus?
As of right now, in my community, there are not many people or cars out on the street. Everyone seems to be staying at home, except for when they have to go out to the supermarkets to buy food. Some people may hangout in their front yards or backyards for fresh air, but that only happens occasionally. As of right now in New York, COVID-19 cases seem to be declining. What used to be 7,000 cases per day is now about 2,000 cases per day. Hospitalization rate in New York also decreased tremendously. Cases in the US are also declining gradually. As of yesterday, the cases in the US are about 20,000 cases. Even though the number is still a lot, the cases are gradually decreasing. However, scientists seem to have found a new illness called, “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome” that is linked to COVID-19. This illness is affecting a lot of children and is making them severely sick. The illness’s symptoms can be persistent fever, inflammation, and can lead to poor function in one or more organs. A lot of government officials and scientists have also been worried about a second wave of cases coming towards us. Cases in Asia had increased from the normal amount of cases they usually get. Government officials in China and South Korea are scrambling to stop the spread of the virus, again.
Your own personal feelings and thoughts about what is happening right now.
Even though we will rather much be in school and see each other instead of being stuck at home, this is also a great time to get closer with your family. Especially during this generation when everyone in your family is basically working, and we only see each other at the dinner table at night, this pandemic can help bring our family together. The pandemic gives time for family bonding. Families can play board games together or maybe even watch a movie together. I definitely miss my friends and teachers and rather see them in person then through a device, but the pandemic will eventually be over and we will be back at school again. I am frightened of the virus, but at times I remind myself that this pandemic will eventually be over and we will go back to our regular life. As of now, my family and I follow all safety protocols from government officials. Whenever one of us went out, we would wear a face mask and remember to stand 6 feet away from another person. My family is definitely panicking more than me. We will have to wash all items and food that we bring home, but I know this is for the safety of my family and I.
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