105 Learning Journal #1

[Byongho Lee]

For all three articles, I found that the central focus was about the relationship between the language and the brain and how that relationship develops as we begin to learn a new language. When we were children, our brains were at a developmental stage; all of the different lobes and gyrus' that help us learn and retain different languages were not at full capacity. That is why our native language is so important because it is essentially rooted in our brain development. Once we begin to develop speech, that is when meaning becomes important. As I begin to continue my Czech studies, I should be asking myself "why does Ja Jsem mean I am, when in Korean it is Na Niun, Spanish is Yo Soy, and Chinese it is Wo Shi." They all have the same meaning, but different ways of saying it. It also makes me wonder how in other languages, certain words or phrases carry more meaning depending on the emphasis of a accent or a vowel. Ultimately, I believe language is more than just a method of communication, it is a lifestyle and a way to form a deeper relationship with the people, the culture, and the country.