The most important aspect of the article “Northrop Frye Talks About the Role of Humanities” is Frye’s assertion that the inability to articulate thoughts and ideas results in the impoverishment of the means of verbal communication. Verbal communication becomes impoverished because the ability to articulate is discouraged in society, articulating thoughts are inconvenient for humans, thus simplistic means of communications is preferred and verbal communication is hindered by ill and unfit words to convey one's thoughts.Verbal communication becomes impoverished because the ability to articulate is discouraged in society. Modern technological systems of communication have evolved in a way that prevents the ability to articulate one's thoughts. …show more content…
People learn to read and write to satisfy basic needs but as it applies to communicating ideas the most convenient way is the preferred way the simplest ways are more convenient. The lack of interest in literacy makes simpler means of communication more convenient and useful than articulately conveying thoughts. 42% of Canadian adults between the ages of 16 and 65 have low literacy skills according to the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network, thus pre-established language formulas and systems of thought allow for individuals with lower literacy skills to use base forms of communication. However, this has a dramatic impact on the individual who finds themselves having to articulate, as they are stuck using these basic language formulas. Thus, people do not articulate because it is considered an inconvenient form of communication. Although this perspective of inconvenience contributes to the hindrance of verbal communication. Verbal communication is also hindered by the use of ill and unfit words to convey one's …show more content…
The communication system has been reduced to the use of “emoji’s” which is simply defined as a small digital image or icon used to express an idea, emotion and various forms of broken language are now used to communicate. This is an epidemic that has destroyed language conventions and turned them into language formulas. Verbal communication is hindered based on the use of these electronic communications which has translates itself into individuals informal contacts of which Frye says “[the]vast majority of things we here today are prejudice and cliches, simply verbal formulas that have no thought behind them but are put up as pretence to thinking”( Frye, 8). People passively accept these unfit word conventions and formulas of communication, which inadvertently influence and hinder verbal communication; Thus leading to the inability to articulate resulting in the impoverishment of the means of verbal communication.Indeed, while the most important aspect of the article containing Northrop Frye is his assertion that the inability to articulate thoughts and ideas results in the impoverishment of the means of verbal communication. Frye asserts that it is not until one “realizes these things [have concealed] meanings, rather than reveal it, that we can begin to develop our own powers of articulateness”( Frye,
While preparing for one of his college lectures, Dennis Baron, a professor and linguistics at the University of Illinois, began playing with the idea of how writing has changed the world we lived in and materials and tools we use in everyday life. This lecture slowly transitioned into “Should Everybody Write?” An article that has made many wonder if technology has made writing too easy for anyone to use or strengthens a writer's ability to learn and communicate their ideas. Baron uses rhetorical strategies in his article to portray to his audience his positive tone, the contrast and comparison of context and his logical purpose.
“Your Ability to Can Even: A Defense of Internet Linguistics” by Tia Baheri, is a great read. The article focuses on the new language that has been created among Internet users and how some critics think it is a negative impact on the English language and how others, such as Baheri herself, think that there is nothing wrong with the change what so ever. After reading the article, I agree with Tia Baheri, I also think that language is as she states, “Supposed to flex and shape itself to convey what we mean to say as directly and efficiently as possible”. Yes, some who do not spend a lot of time on the Internet may not understand some of the newly used phrases but for others it is the best way to express themselves.
When a baby hears the words “mommy” and “daddy” for the first time he or she cannot erase that, it is a part of the file cabinet of knowledge now. To give people the best model possible, we should imitate it in the media and at home. In Gloria Naylor’s essay, “The Meaning of a Word,” the author briefly states that verbal and written language are the same. Even though, verbal communication packs a powerful punch, I believe written communication has a lasting effect.
Communication is the foundation of any society. Humans are interactive beings that must communicate in order to survive. Humans develop communication skills as infants; learning to yell when something is needed, cry when something is painful, and smile when feeling happy. As babies age they learn words; eventually learning to compose sentences allowing them to express their feelings or desires. Humans finally learn to communicate within different parts of their life with different forms of communication such as letters, spoken, visual, and more. As one ages, they become aware of the different rules of communication used with certain people and situations; such as learning to speak to a teacher in a different manner than how one talks to their friends. While doing this, people are unconsciously starting to learn how to conform in the different discourse communities. Discourse communities are an essential part of life, and learning to communicate in those communities is just as vital.
She argues that in the humanities articulate writing is needed to provoke thoughts. She states that in humanities they seriously discus many horrific issues such as slavery and women not being able to vote. (147) Butler states that. By being articulate you are able to challenge these issues that are thought of
Carr uses the example of Friedrich Nietzsche whom transfer from pen and paper to a typewriter. Many notice that Nietzsche’s writing style had also changed, reason being that “our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts.” Nietzsche explains. It is as though our own critical thinking is malleable in accordance to technology. “They supply the stuff of thought, but they also shape the process of thought.”, Carr states as he correlates that our own innocent use of technology is our own waterloo, for it disables us of capacity to formulate our own thoughts. However, Wendell and Beavers beg to differ, however they argue a different stand point. Wendell and Beavers introduce the idea that the ability to use social media as a platform of cognitive stimulation, “There is a well-established body of evidence supporting the correlation between cognitive competence and quality pretend-play.”, the essay argues. Wendell and beavers argue that the simple access to try out different modes of self presentation are properly inhibited on Facebook, fore it “must fit somewhat with what I already am because my ‘friends’ are present to ‘call me out’ if I try to pass myself off as someone too different from whom they perceive me to be.” The supporting details, for the most part, in Wendell and Beavers’ analysis are draw from personal experiment and formatted in a way to at some degree present it in a credible way. This is also true when it comes to Car’s piece, as Carr also uses his own experience as the foundation of his own argument of the levels of toxicity technology has on our critical thinking, “my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages.” Carr explicates his concern. Both sides of the argument draw from first based ideals and it gives an intimate touch between the at hour and the reader. It gives the
English Language Learners (ELL) require thoughtful and careful instruction for both reading and writing education. Both of these skills are necessary for a bright future and to be a functioning citizen in Canada. Those that do not possess considerable literacy levels will be effectively 'locked out' from so much knowledge, information and ideas that are part of the culture of society (Christie 1990, 20). Having a low level of literacy usually means acquiring an unskilled job. The relationship between literacy levels and poverty is something that should not be ignored (Gibbons, 2002). Developing literacy skills in ELLs is a daunting task and especially with students that have not developed those skills in their first language originally. Through the Curriculum Cycle and proper scaffolding of writing strategies, this paper will provide a lesson plan that will help develop an ELL's writing skills. It will include many different tools that will help students gain an understanding and confidence of the narrative writing form.
Any craftsman knows that you need the right tools to complete a project successfully. Similarly, people need the right language and usage to communicate in a positive way. How people write is often a problem because they don’t have the right tools, but a bigger problem occurs when a writer “is almost indifferent as to whether his words mean anything at all” (592). If a writer carries this mentality, why try to communicate in the first place? People need...
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is one of my favorite poems for many reasons, but recently it has started to gain new meaning as I face graduation. I have started to wonder how different my life would be if I had only chosen to travel down one road instead of sprinting down both roads at the same time. When I declared my biology major, my dad expressed concern that I was choosing one possible life and career over another possibility. He said he knew how happy writing made me and he wondered if I was doing the right thing in not pursuing that. He spoke the words I had not yet spoken out loud for myself. “You shouldn’t enter college worried about what you will do when you exit,” said David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group, at a World Economic Forum panel discussion last week on the state of the humanities. Rubenstein’s words are true now and they were true then: I should not have worried about choosing so soon. After I arrived at Columbia College, I began taking English courses because I could not take biology courses without at least trying to explore my passion for literature and creative writing. Thanks to time at Columbia College, I started to see the value the required courses of the WPDM major more because of what they taught me about myself than what they taught me about the subject matter. Combined with my classes, my internship experiences have confirmed that I am indeed heading in the right direction. I could not become a successful writer and biologist without the valuable set of skills that I have gained through my time at Columbia College. I believe I made the right choice by choosing both roads.
Drouin, Michelle, and Claire Davis. “R u txting? Is the Use of Text Speak Hurting Your Literacy?.” Journal of Literacy Research 41.1 (2009): 46-67. Humanities International Complete. EBSCO. Web. 25 Oct. 2011.
Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has permeated and become an integral part of our everyday lives. In fact, a life without technology seems almost impossible to imagine. Almost everyone, around the globe, has access to technology in one form or another. Consequently this type of technology has become ingrained into our culture. Its roots are so deep that it is now peculiar to see someone without a smartphone than with one. Consequently, smartphones and the Internet have radically changed the manner in which we communicate and how we communicate with one another. Our speech has metamorphosed so much from that of our grandparents that it almost seems like a foreign language due to the incorporation of slang and “text talk.” With the sudden surge of email, blogs, and instant messaging that occurred within the last couple of decades, the impact that technology has on our linguistics has become more pronounced. Technology has helped to bridge the gap between people by allowing us to communicate as easily as we breathe. On this note, one would think that the dawn of the Era of Technology would give birth to a renaissance of the English language but, instead, the converse is taking place. With such widespread prevalence of technology such as smartphones and computers, the degradation of the English language is a problem now more than ever.
Text messaging is damaging our literacy and communication skills as a society. Calling someone on the phone or writing them a letter is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. There is a new language that is being learned and not taught across the globe. It is the language of Textese, and it has quickly consumed the lives of millions across the world. There will always be the protector of language arts. These are the shrinking number of people everyone knows, that will continue to handwrite letters and sign them with proper English and etiquette. It may be as simple as picking up the phone and calling a friend or relative. It may be even simpler than that, in that people put forth an effort to talk to the person sitting next to or across from you and engage them in a conversation. Texting and textisms have become so common and widespread that using proper English, correct spelling, and full sentences is also becoming a thing of the past. People that constantly use text and instant messaging may have difficulty with literacy and expressing themselves in writing form. The research shows that text messaging has deteriorated how we communicate and express ourselves because textisms have become an easier and quicker form of communication that has affected literacy in children and adults.
“Man is an animal that lives in language as a fish lives in water and so written communication is just one of the ways that man can survive through” (English scholar Annie Dillard). Writing is a skill to give information. Like all skills, it is not inborn and so it needs to be learnt. To give information you need good communication skills including the ability to write simply, clearly and concisely (Harris & Cunningham, 1996).
Thesis statement: Non-verbal communication is as important as what people say; however, if not examined carefully can be misinterpret because of lack of awareness. This lack of knowledgecan cause misunderstandings in everyday life.
With 80% of Americans using internet, and that 80% spending an average of 17 hours a week online (each), according to the 2009 Digital Future Report, we are online more than ever before. People can't go a few hours let alone a whole day without checking their emails, social media, text messages and other networking tools. The average teen today deals with more than 3,700 texts in just a month. The use of technology to communicate is making face to face conversations a thing of the past. We have now become a society that is almost completely dependent on our technology to communicate. While technology can be helpful by making communication faster and easier, but when it becomes our main form of conversation it becomes harmful to our communication and social skills. Technological communication interferes with our ability to convey our ideas clearly. Technology can harm our communication skills by making us become unfamiliar with regular everyday human interactions, which can make it difficult for people to speak publicly. Technology can also harm our ability to deal with conflict. These days it is easier to h...