The reading for this week focused on reading, writing and speech. The chapter How writing and speech differ analyzes the importance of speech and written text and assess whether one can be substituted for another. The author concludes that although writing and speech are now seen as alternative equal system of linguistic expression, there are various situations when one cannot be substituted for other. He draws on the example of memory and learning where he believes speech cannot be substituted for writing as written records are easier to keep and scan. Reading the chapter about importance of speech and writing, I began to wonder if one was more important than the other.
As a language learner, it is always important to have the written skills; however, the written skills will yield no result if speech is absent. There are various arguments which state that written skills will improve the speech aspect. This is where I differ to most of the arguments. Although I believe it is essential to be able to write and read, I don’t think it will have much of an effect on speaking aspect. As a beginner learner of English, I was able to read and write. I grew up learning how to read and write in English but that did not make me a proficient speaker in English. I struggled often at time with the speech aspects. I lacked the much needed knowledge of pronunciation and also fluency in conversation. I often fell behind during a conversation not because I did not what I wanted to say but because I was not sure of how to say the word.
Comments