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Trip to the Museum of Man part 2(:
Paula Soto
Kiara Grant
Mission to the Museum of Man
October 11, 2014
The day started slow. No energy to move. No desire to get out of the uncomfortable bed provided by a college education. However, we found the strength to make it out of bed. The supplement of coffee helped. With our fellow neighbors, we walk ourselves to front of the hall residence. Paula ran (being late, as always). We will fast forward the day until we get to the museum. To our surprise, Balboa Park is humongous. There are different museums. The exciting part was the people that were selling items, drawings of people, and face paintings. The Museum of Man was the first museum we visited–reason for that was because Torture Exhibit was full. The first object we see is a wall full of words. The words are all written in different languages. Noticing all the various languages, it was overwhelming. In the big wall of languages, we discovered languages like: Lithuanian and Galactic Basic Standard( Star Wars language). There were some type of Asian languages, but we did not catch their names. Moving on from the wall, we encountered the section of the Mayans. There were many artifacts of their writing on the walls. Going upstairs, we entered the exhibit of the mummies–Egyptians. We saw their hieroglyphics. Through the rest of the museum we did not find other languages. Well, only Spanish and English. Beyond on that, we only found the languages above.
The second part of our day was spent in the Torture Exhibit. That was intense. It was very interesting. The exhibit showed various instruments of punishment throughout centuries. We are not going into the objects that we saw. Just be aware, that it was thought-provoking. The day turned out to be a good day, by exploring different languages.
Pictures of our day:
Global Linguistics
During our time at The Museum of Man, I was able to find many different languages used throughout the exhibits. It made me realize how integral communication and language are on all cultural developments. For every single item in display, there was a concept that was mentally described using language, and then there was a discussion about this idea, and then the idea was able to take shape. Without language there would never have been any human advancement in history.
My language is actually changing? (Extra Credit)
So I took the Harvard Dialect Survey without any expectations thinking that It wouldn’t be able to pinpoint my location (since I speak with a “Filipino accent”) but lo and behold, it was actually correct (well, mostly)
(I took the quiz twice, this was my second result. My first result said that my dialect is most similar to that of Los Angeles. I was actually really surprised that both results were consistent and accurate).
Speaking of my accent, I learned English in the Philippines from pre-school up to 4th grade (approximately 12 years) so when I moved to California I simply spoke the way English was taught to me. (example: I put a strong emphasis on the letter ‘v’ making it sound like a ‘b’. I used to say “I lab you” instead of “I love you”) Anyways, I took the survey with that mindset and chose words the way I would normally pronounce them. The survey results, however, was able to tell that I live somewhere near Southern California. It might be because I am just oblivious to how I am speaking but maybe my language is actually changing the longer I live in California.
Among everything else, what this survey told me is that region has a really large impact on how you speak a language!
Extra Credit Blog (SURVEY)
As I took this survey I was surprised by how many different ways there is to pronounce different words and references to different things. I was even more surprised when I saw the results and how accurately i spoke for the region that I live in. I literally sat and saw the map amazed because it had classified me so easily with just 25 questions. I didn’t think that I followed the language much of my region but i guess I do! It was a very interesting little survey of major realization lol. Pretty cool I have to admit.
Discussion 2: Language differences I have noticed…
What differences have you noticed in the ways people use language?
Think first about regional differences, then fill in the other major social categories: age, gender & sexuality, ethnicity & race, social class (working class, middle class, upper class).
Then think about broader “community” categories– categories like surfer, stoner, prep, jock, drama/theater kid, band geek, hipster, princess, dork/nerd/geek, meathead, etc.
Are there any groups that stick out in your mind as people who use language in a specific or unique way? What– exactly– are they doing with their language that seems different to you?
To get fullest possible credit, comment on the main post (this one) and at least two other classmates’ posts as well. Make sure to use tags in your responses along with any other media (images, maps, audio or video clips) that you think might help illustrate your point.
This will be available until Thursday morning. Go a-linguisting!
-doug
We Are The Freakatives
We are the Freakatives
Cory’s Bio:
I speak English and know some Japanese because I watch Naruto with subtitles. I have taken multiple Spanish classes, but foreign languages are not my strong point. Although, after taking linguistics, I feel I can apply what I have learned to my acquisition of another language. People tell me I’m smart and pretty. I can do lots of things but I really enjoy doing nothing. I’m really good at making the best of things while seeing the worst in them. In particular, my skills and strengths in relation to linguistics is rather limited. I have a hard time comprehending the material and an even more difficult time applying it. I do know APA rather well though!
Steve’s Bio:
I’m Steve Juarez, my nickname is Captain. I’m half Mexican and half Merman. I enjoy short drives to Pizza Hut, people watching, and playing my music so loud that it sets off car alarms. I’m 5’8’’ about 155 lbs, wear a size 9 shoe and size 11 heels. My strengths in Linguistics/languages rely in the fact that I speak Spanish and English; although in the English portion I find myself being a grammar nazi and correcting people’s grammar/spelling on social networks. My goal is to become an English teacher, although I currently get paid to party.
Michelle’s Bio:
Growing up in an Italian family, language was a big part of our lives. Not only did we yell ALL THE TIME (even if we weren’t angry), we spoke a lot with our hands—you can’t be an Italian unless you “speak with your hands.” This influenced me greatly to be the loud, hold-nothing-back person I am. Since I’m so short, I have to make myself seem bigger than I am. Years later, I studied American Sign Language in college for 2 years. This came easier to me than others, because I was used to “speaking with my hands.” Not only did I need this language for my major, but I was extremely interested in the deaf culture and wanted to learn more. I only needed one semester of ASL, but pursued it further for the knowledge. Aside from being Italian and learning ASL, I also played piano for 10 years. Using my hands to talk is now a natural thing to me—sometimes there doesn’t even need to be a spoken language between myself and another individual if we can communicate via hands gestures (and not just the inappropriate hand gestures!).
Giovanna’s Bio:
My name is Giovanna but almost everyone calls me “gioo” I was born here but my entire family is from Mexico. I speak and write both English and Spanish. My major is English Single Subject Teaching and this is my first semester as a transfer student. I want to become an English teacher and later go on to law school if I am able to, and have the money for it. What I consider my strength is that I love to do things perfectly, as a matter of fact, I use a ruler to write so that my writing doesn’t come out uneven, regardless of there being lines on the paper or not. Also, it is easier for me to speak Spanish and write in English, weird but true.
Keana’s Bio:
Hi! I’m Keana. I’m Filipino and Japanese and know bit of each language. I love naps, the Arctic Monkeys, sweet tea, Michael Fassbender, Mad Men, Regular Show and clash of clans. I’m new to linguistics so I haven’t developed any strengths yet, however, pictured with me is my nephew and one of the reasons I switched my major to linguistics. He’s about to be two, and he’s got dancing down but hasn’t started talking in proper sentences. I taught him words to say and his ability to pronounce them and understand what they correspond to intrigues me. In regards to linguistics I would like to teach kids to develop their speech or study how they do so.
Ana’s bio:
My name is Ana Rebeca Rodas. My family exclusively calls me Rebeca and my friends only call me Rodas (so you can call me Ana since it’d be pretty cool to have yet another identity). I consider myself to be an optimistic person who is always tired and who gets asked whether I am being sarcastic or not waaay too often. I like to laugh at life and everything it throws at us. As for my ethnic background, I was born in the US but the rest of my family is Guatemalan. Spanish was my first language, I learned some Hebrew and I am currently learning Arabic. When I was little, I would tell people that when I grew up, I wanted to be a dictionary. (I didn’t have many friends as a kid). Pursuing this lifelong dream of becoming a dictionary, I switched my major to Linguistics. So far my linguistic skills are average, but the amount of components there are to language itself is definitely very interesting to me. I would like to someday become a translator or work for the government.
TEAM WE DON’T KNOW Portfolio
Team We Don’t Know!
Our teammates all have unique strengths and powers. Even if we are different, we complete each other.
Another picture to show how united we are as a team. And how different our powers are.
We fight linguistic crime together!!!!!!
Our Teammates:
Paula
As a member of this group, my strength in linguistics is semantics. I have found the love for those tree diagrams. Also, I am a master in interpreting sentences and finding their ambiguities. I understand this subject much better than the other subjects. I spoke espanol first. So, as a child I had pronunciation problems and grammar problems and spelling problems. Now, I can distinguished the difference between both. I love languages and want to learn more.
Kaitlyn
As another member of this group, my main strength in linguistics is semantics. Along with semantics I have a strong grasp on morphology. Language has always been a large part of my life which is shown through my technical fluency in French.
Kimberly
As an additional member of this group, my strength in linguistics would have to be semantics as well. It does not come easy but it makes more sense to me then everything we have learned so far. I speak both spanish and english and learned a little bit of french in elementary school. I have always loved the idea of learning many different language in order to be able to communicate to a larger pool of people.
Laura
4/27/1996
Rancho Murieta, CA
In linguistic studies,my super strength is in semantics, as illustrated in my mad sentence tree diagramming skills. My middle names are Mental and Grammar. No floating adverb can get by me.
Linguistic Skillz
**Team New Money**
Julia McGonigal: Fascination in different language dialects and culture. Interest in understanding the aptitude for understanding different dialects, and the ability to speak more than one language.
Jacob: Fluent in English with a rudimentary grasp on Spanish. Interested in how language comes together, specifically word origins and how they can be broken apart to understand meaning. Recently discovered an interest in how language is expressed in the mind as well. Can kick pretty high.
Drew: Firm grasp of the English language, with proficiency in both Spanish and Italian. Actual passion for language learning as a whole. Interested in how languages are created and how they change with time.
Kiara: For the longest time I have been fascinated by language. Ever since a young age I have been exposed to different languages and culture through travel and growing in the diverse city of San Francisco. I’ve always loved listening to, observing and trying to learn new languages. I think that the most interesting part is when you hear two languages that come from similar roots and then you can compare how the sounds are similar and how there is variation even though they may still sound similar. The technicalities in every language varies. Two languages can be very different like Spanish and Tagalog, yet there are many shared words between the two. Same with English and Spanish. Then there are similar sounding languages like Spanish and Portugese, Spanish and French, etc.
The Linguistics Lineup
The 5 pupils ready to be filled with the tea of linguistics. Their mission will be a very daunting one. Alone, they can not accomplish much, but together their potential increases tenfold! This amazing team consists of:
Name: Meg Collier
D.O.B.: 4/14/1996
Country of Origin: San Diego, CA, USA
Languages: English, Korean (kinda), a TINY bit of Japanese
“I had to take linguistics because I live in the Language Village Learning Community in the dorms. Also I am interested in languages.”
Because she has travelled to Japan and became fascinated with the language and the culture, she and Watanabe have become close friends really quick. She and Bernardo are taking part in the Hallyu Movement and converse frequently about Korean pop music and dramas.
Name: Jonathan Moore
D.O.B.: 08/31/1988
Origin: San Diego, CA, USA
Languages: English, some Python
“I’m taking linguistics because the very act of communication in both written and verbal form fascinates me. I also feel that it is advantageous to my health; specifically my brain; in forming new synapses and cells through neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.”
Moore’s fascination with Asian cultures has drawn him to both Watanabe and Lab. His interest in Anime has led to a bond between Lab and Bernardo.
Name: Miki Watanabe
D.O.B.: 06/13/1994
Origin: Tokyo, Japan
Languages: Japanese, English and a little bit of Chinese
“I am taking Linguistics because I am in Communication major, and I like to study foreign languages.”
Although she has been to Texas, California is still something Watanabe has yet to explore. She has been to many hotspots and is continuing to adapt and enjoy her time here in America. She has become really close with Collier and popular among the rest of the group due to their interest in Japanese culture.
Name: Brian Lab
D.O.B.: 05/01/1995
Origin: Maryland, USA (from Hawaii)
Langauges: English, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian Pigeon
“I am taking linguistics because I have always had a fascination with languages, after growing up in several places with language diversity. I took a linguistics course last year, and I enjoyed so much that I had to take another. Also, I am planning to Minor in Chinese, so linguistics should help. But, honestly, it’s more for my own personal interest.”
Due to a greater knowledge of Chinese he has become very popular among Moore and Bernardo who are learning Chinese.
Name: Bryant Bernardo
D.O.B.: 03/26/1996
Origin: San Diego, CA, USA
Languages: English, Tagalog, a tad of Spanish, Chinese (learning)
“I am taking linguistics because I too am very interested in learning languages, after having been to three countries and exposed to the different languages. I wish to teach English abroad; being able to use what I learn here in linguistics will definitely help me teach others English.”
Because Bernardo is learning Chinese he has turned to Lab for a lot of help. He also frequently converses with Lab and Moore regarding animes and with Collier on Korean dramas and pop music.
Our mission:
To retake The Tower of Babel
D5 Creation