Steven Pinker lectures about human thought and how language gives us insight to our own cognitive processes. Reflecting back as a student on L1 and L2, I felt the opposite. L1 you learn naturally, however precise wordage and grammar was eventually forced upon you. Being taught grammar rules, gives the student only half of the picture. What is needed to be taught is conceptual knowledge of the language structure, so that the students have the foundation to with upon they can place vocabulary and other auxiliary forms can be placed into the language format.
Later on in his lecture Pinker outlines human intelligence: *repertoire of concepts (objects, space time) useful in social situations *process of metaphorical abstraction: conceptual structure without content
LANGUAGE IS USED TO NEGOTIATE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS-Steven Pinker
-->In most SLA classrooms there is little to no human interaction with the L2.
--> Different types of relationships: -dominance -reciprocation -sexuality -communality
The use of language is to convey each side of the relationship, even when they are mix-matched. Within these relationships there are implicit actions that can also be going on, which are based on contextual knowledge of the situation. The example in the lecture was the scene in FARGO when a man, was trying to bride a cop, with money in his wallet. Students in SLA, do not have this necessary contextual knowledge which is key to communicate on a higher level. The cannot understand the relationship being negotiated. Thus, language needs to be integrated in the social context so that SLA learners can better navigate through the complexities of language
Thanks for sharing. I'm sure others in our community of practice would be interested in this lecture. If I can fit it in my schedule, I will listen to it also. Since I live with grandchildren who are learning their L1 and recently attempted to learn Chinese, I am interested in seeing how what I have observed fits with Pinker thoughts.
Casey,
ReplyDeleteWhy not post this link in the Coffee House forum to be sure that everyone sees it.
Dr. Burgos
Steven Pinker lectures about human thought and how language gives us insight to our own cognitive processes. Reflecting back as a student on L1 and L2, I felt the opposite. L1 you learn naturally, however precise wordage and grammar was eventually forced upon you. Being taught grammar rules, gives the student only half of the picture. What is needed to be taught is conceptual knowledge of the language structure, so that the students have the foundation to with upon they can place vocabulary and other auxiliary forms can be placed into the language format.
ReplyDeleteLater on in his lecture Pinker outlines human intelligence:
*repertoire of concepts (objects, space time) useful in social situations
*process of metaphorical abstraction: conceptual structure without content
LANGUAGE IS USED TO NEGOTIATE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS-Steven Pinker
-->In most SLA classrooms there is little to no human interaction with the L2.
--> Different types of relationships:
-dominance
-reciprocation
-sexuality
-communality
The use of language is to convey each side of the relationship, even when they are mix-matched. Within these relationships there are implicit actions that can also be going on, which are based on contextual knowledge of the situation. The example in the lecture was the scene in FARGO when a man, was trying to bride a cop, with money in his wallet. Students in SLA, do not have this necessary contextual knowledge which is key to communicate on a higher level. The cannot understand the relationship being negotiated. Thus, language needs to be integrated in the social context so that SLA learners can better navigate through the complexities of language
Thanks for sharing. I'm sure others in our community of practice would be interested in this lecture. If I can fit it in my schedule, I will listen to it also. Since I live with grandchildren who are learning their L1 and recently attempted to learn Chinese, I am interested in seeing how what I have observed fits with Pinker thoughts.
ReplyDelete