The first reading, How the Brain Handles Language, helps me to know about the process that we actually receive message, decode information, and comprehend context from a biological perspective. Even though I am not a science student, it was interesting to know the scientific background of our brains’ function in terms of different areas in cortex.
It was good know the difference between natural and conventional view on the language. Personally, I agree with the natural view that the sound of the words are intrinsically connected to the real meaning of it. Also, I am very excited to explore the difference between sense and reference by looking at all three languages I learned and is learning: Chinese, English and Korean. For example, in English, we call both father’s mother and mother’s mother as grandmother, but in Korean and Chinese, there are different terms to differentiate them.
By reading the third reading, I realized that learning language could be separated into different steps and parts, including vocabulary, grammar, and phonology. Also, there are two feasible approaches. One is “working through the various levels in a particular order, beginning with a phonetic description, proceeding through phonology, morphology and syntax and concluding with semantics.” Another approach is just the opposite. Even though I do not think I could follow exactly either of the sequence, it is very helpful to realize the integrity and broadness of learning language so that I won’t ignore any certain aspect.
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