Learning Journal #3

[Devin Chen]

Language is a multi-layered study that includes phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and then branches into different discipline’s focus on linguistics. Sentence structure in Korean includes use of grammar, following a subject-object-predicate order, whereas English uses subject-predicate-object sequence. Understanding the different disciplinary perspectives can provide a better understanding of a language because language involves the communications between people. For example, a sociological linguist may examine the effects of different cultural norms, expectations and context, on the formation of language. I would give preference to sociolinguistics because I want to understand the culture of Korea as well, their people tend to be more modest and shy and I wonder if that has a language component. Because Korean has a different grammar structure from English, it is very unfamiliar, therefore my learning plan will probably shift to have a stronger emphasis on grammar.