Language and Culture Presentation
Consider the intersection of language and culture at work in 1984, Outliers, and other readings as well as lectures from class. In an excellent presentation, examine the impact of language on culture and culture on language. Organize your presentation around a thesis on the topic while you analyze how each book treats the impact of language. Include specific references to characters, events or quotes as you develop your presentation. You must also incorporate lectures and readings from class.
**REQUIRED** The Class Lecture - Click the Image
**REQUIRED** Review Reading for the book 1984
While you need to be familiar with the entire story, these are the sections of the book that we'll discuss in class.
Part One; Section V
Part Two; Section IX
“The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism” Chapter 1 – Ignorance is Strength
The Entire Appendix
Part Two; Section IX
“The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism” Chapter 1 – Ignorance is Strength
The Entire Appendix
**REQUIRED** from The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
The introduction to Bryson's book lends insight to the flexibility and ubiquity of the English language. Print this article and bring it to class with you.
bryson_-_the_mother_tongue_intro.pdf | |
File Size: | 8635 kb |
File Type: |
**REQUIRED** How Does Our Language Shape the Way We Think?
"The Meaning of Words" by Gloria Naylor
Naylor's piece offers a powerful example of where language and culture intersect.
naylor-the_meanings_of_words.pdf | |
File Size: | 232 kb |
File Type: |
David Sedaris in Paris
The TED videos:
Steven Pinker: What our Language Habits Reveal
In an exclusive preview of his book The Stuff of Thought, Steven Pinker looks at language and how it expresses what goes on in our minds -- and how the words we choose communicate much more than we realize.
Mark Pagel: How Language Transformed Humanity
Biologist Mark Pagel shares an intriguing theory about why humans evolved our complex system of language. He suggests that language is a piece of "social technology" that allowed early human tribes to access a powerful new tool: cooperation.