Generative linguistics

In this essay I will explore structuralism and evaluate the usefulness of the theory. I will look at examples of Structuralism in ethnography, such as observable binary oppositions and interpretations of the importance of myth, also exploring criticisms of the theory. I will explore the claim that Structuralism is too theory-based and cannot account for the experience of the individual, and whether this means that Structuralism can be relied on to inform us about human life from an…

Safie first hand using books to help her both speak, read, and write in French. The monster already knew some words from listening to the cottagers, like a child learning its first words, “When the child hears a sufficient number of instances of a linguistic construction (i.e. the third singular verb form), she will detect patterns across the utterances she has heard” (Lemetyinen). When Safie began to learn French, the monster learned from observing her progress and practicing alone, utilizing…

While the experimental findings used to support the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, such as the foreign language effect or behavioral differences in bilinguals based on the language used tempt us to infer that thought might employ natural language, they only account for the influence language has on concept acquisition. In order to perform reasoning, the brain takes a body-centric approach: define and determine the desirability of an idea as a sum of elementary sensorial input from the body or the…

The role of grammar in English Language Teaching (ELT) has been a crucial and debatable issue for many years, gaining both supporters and opponents along the way. The treatment of grammar differs with various teaching methodologies and approaches (Burgess & Etherington 2002: 434). It needs to be noted that grammar is an “ambiguous term” in the language teaching field (Larsen-Freeman 2009: 518). It can refer to many things at the same time. Therefore, only one comprehensive definition will be…

that teachers, researchers, and linguistics think that code switching is a big blockage or lacks the learning of a language (Cole). From the discussion said by Crystal, it may be said that code switching is not an interference of any language. Code switching is used due to the deficiency of expression, code switching actually provides and help to make a continuous speech and not cause interference to any language (Crystal). Skiba also added that, “The socio-linguistic benefits have also been…

Self-Evaluation Essay Little did I know that I was going to learn a lot more than I thought throughout the semester in ENGL 1433. I began the course dreading reading and writing. I just wanted to be done with the class before the class began and go back to science classes. I never have considered myself a good writer or someone who was good at analyzing literature, it was never something I enjoyed. Despite these initial thoughts and preconceived notions, I did, for the most part, enjoy the…

Reading and writing is a way that people can express themselves in a unique way. Reading and writing has been a popular hobby for people over a course of many years and a source of great entertainment. People write stories as a way of entertaining themselves and some sell these writings and end up making great profit from it. Some writers create beautiful poems and share their feelings through these poems to different audiences. There are many people that write because they can put their…

Around the world people grow up learning a native language, some people grow up learning two. Many people move to a new area where customs, beliefs and language differ from what they’re used to. This can be a harrowing struggle, especially for children still in school. Trying to learn for your education while not knowing the language can be difficult but teachers can help. By analyzing their students and their progress teachers can help these students accomplish what they need to. In Mr.…

Will my teacher hurt me if I make a mistake? Are there scary men who will try to take me when I am walking home after school and make me a soldier? Do I feel safe here? These are questions that most children born in the United States do not have to ask themselves when they enter for their first day of school. However, there are many children coming from countries such as Mexico and Sudan, where these are questions that children ask themselves every day. Accordingly, I began to ask myself the…

projecting their desired identity. Accommodation to a certain group of people or individual during speech will increases the solidarity between the speaker and the interlocutor but does not reflect the individual identity of the speaker who undergo linguistic accommodation. In a courtroom situation, a male witness was described to have a different conversational strategy from being assertive to being more passive, and use more features of women’s speech. This change is incited by the context. As…