Discussion Post #3

[Isaac Choe]

While looking at the diagram from Aitchinson, I recalled the many discussions I had in my sociology and anthropology classes. Viewing linguistics through an anthropological perspective lends itself to my enjoyment of the history of languages, so applying linguistics to a broader context, in my opinion, is very useful. Philology as a whole can be used as a vessel to transport one to another culture, so seeing the historical shapers of language offers a nuanced understanding of the modern use of words. Sociology, on the other hand, seems to be readily applicable in terms of the contemporary understanding of a language. Rhetoric in modern spheres is polarizing in how people view it, but regardless of how one views it, exploring the institutions, governments, and people who shape our understanding of language is vital. However, applied linguistics will be chiefly concerned with for this class. Computational linguistics, in addition, is also a source of deep fascination, but I’ll explore this in my own time. Returning to applied linguistics, however, I hope to be able to converse with people in a manner that is fluid, and conducive to a better mutual understanding with one another. Being more extroverted and curious about others, language presents the unique opportunity to widen the gamut of those I can learn about, and applied linguistics looks to use language for the betterment of others. All in all, I hope to use an anthropological investigation to equip me with cultural and historical knowledge, sociolinguistics to understand how it is used, and applied linguistics to offer solutions through language. 

[Ethan Han]

I also think it is very important to study the history of a language. If we do not know how the language came to what it is today then we lost our fundamental understanding of what the language itself actually means. There are so many words and slang used in a language that has changed throughout the years and understanding the history of a language and the people who used it is crucial when trying to fully why this language is so different from other languages and why these people have these kinds of sounds and why they are missing other sounds. Also, what words exist in this language that doesn't in other languages?