I found the article “How the brain handles language” especially interesting. I enjoyed the use of a diagram in order to understand just how many parts of the brain are functioning in order to comprehend and utilize language. Two years ago I experienced odd symptoms, which led to hospitalization and a diagnosis of inflammation in my brain stem. These symptoms included impaired vision, imbalance, etc. The article has emphasized for me how something simple like speaking or learning a language is an interrelated process of so many different locations within the brain. My experience has accentuated both the fragility of such abilities that we take for granted, and inspired me to take advantage of them.
The article “How we mean” is especially helpful in my case of struggling through reading a novel in Hebrew. Since the sixth grade, when I was no longer expected to read in Hebrew by school, I have not taken up the challenge. I think this can be attributed to the fact that I am not as proficient, it takes me more time, and I do not understand all the words. Being able to put these obstacles aside and focus on the main storyline being conveyed and understanding that meaning will hopefully get me through the reading in a way, which with increased practice will also increase my proficiency and understanding. Being able to take words that I am not familiar with into the context of a novel or the news articles I am dissecting is helpful by providing context and ensuring a level of understanding that I can transfer to my use in conversation or writing.
“How to investigate language structure” highlights the importance of context within language learning. The order in which words appear is important when learning Hebrew because sentence structures are composed of noun and then the adjective describing that noun i.e. car red or “oto adom” rather than the English structure i.e. “red car.” I liked the author’s argument of learning language via meaning and then implementing grammar to explain the meaning. I have learned a couple languages and grammar memorization has never been my strongpoint. I prefer to use the conversational language to a point where I know if a sentence sounds off or not. At that level of usability, I understand the grammar structure better and am able to apply it with greater understanding.
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