William Cope
Reda Sadki
May Thet Khine Nyein
Eugenia Arvanitis
Pinakini Shah
Jonathan deHaan
Alessandra Coutinho Fernandes
Ketan HeinLiteracy Teaching and Learning MOOC’s Updates
Section 1b: First Languages
In this section, we explore literacies on a human scale. In the broadest of brushstrokes, discuss three phases in the development of literacies in our species: the literacies of people who spoke first languages, the arrival of writing beginning several thousands of years ago, and the rise of digital communications media since the last quarter of the twentieth century.
This first update of the section explores the literacies of 'first languages' used before writing as we know it. In the past, cultures that existed before writing were considered to be uncivilised or primitive. In fact, these languages were as complex and sophisiticated as any contemporary systems of communication. And the meaning systems of these first people were deeply multimodal.
To understand more about the nature of these languages,
- read the texts in the 'First Languages' section of our supporting materials website.
- read the following article:
Comment: In your exploration of first languages, what are some interesting or suprising things you have learned?
In Brazil we speak Portuguese, and according to studies from a university from Goias, – UFG (Universidade Federal de Goiás) – the language arose from colloquial Latin and the influence of other groups of people who have invaded or moved to the Southeast of Europe 2000 years ago, which nowadays is Portugal and Spain.
Because of Brazil’s colonization in the 16th century, not only Portuguese from Portugal was inserted in this ‘new land’ but also the vocabulary and lexical structures from the native people, African slaves and European foreigners for over 300 years.
English has become important in the second half of 20th century, which brought a neologism between Brazilin people and some objects or events such as brainstorm, coach, feedback, mouse, notebook, delivery and so on. Nowadays speaking in a meeting using English words in the middle of the lecture is considered high level and it is well-appreciate in terms of career development.
Bibliography
https://letras.ufg.br/n/1844-as-origens-da-lingua-portuguesa
While reading about first languages, it is interesting to see how language came about. According to Kalantzis and Cope (2006), languages evolved from over 10,000 different symbols. That fact alone is fascinating since most languages now consist of letters and fewer symbols. These earlier languages had symbols that represented individual words. As time went on, written words represented phrases in other languages. There was another statement in a reading about how language changes as it is passed from generation to generation. Language is social which makes sense since humans use language to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, etc.
References:
Kalantzis, Mary and Bill Cope. 2006. On Globalisation and Diversity. Computers and Composition 31:402-411.
As humans, most of us are curious to find out how we humans first started speaking and how the first languages developed. In the first globalisation period when humans walked and occupied a large part of the planet, different languages developed in different places with complex systems of rules and vocabulary. Interestingly, there was that much diversity at that time (Cope and Kalantizs, 2006). The second globalisation saw lingual interactions between diverse people due to the spread of agriculture, trade, religion and written communication (Cope and Kalantizs, 2006). The third globalisation comprises modernisation, imperial colonisation, the rise of a few dominant global languages spoken even by non-native speakers, multilingualism, and digital technological advancement (Cope and Kalantzis, 2006). Due to the influx of internet and digital technology, many people today are multilingual whereby they speak their native language as well as a second global language, such as English. It is interesting that English too may have lost its originality in the non-native speaking population due to their adaptation of the English language with their native language/s (Abley, 2003). There is a threat that several languages all over the world may be lost due to the adoption of foreign languages (Abley, 2003). At the same time, there are a few communities, such as the Pirahas of Brazil that are resistant to adopting and adapting to any foreign language or culture and thereby retaining their original languages and culture (Everett, 2017). The analogy by Edward Sapir serves as food for thought. A human being in isolation will learn to walk on his own without external help from anybody else. Whereas language is a socio-culturally transmitted complex system. Given that, communities that transfer original native languages to the younger generation may be able to protect these languages. Communities that abandon their native languages in favour of globally predominant languages will experience the loss of native languages over some time. Multilingual communities may be able to preserve their native languages along with the adoption of a foreign language.
Hi Shraddha!
I agree with your thinking about human isolation and not having help from anyone else. When humans work together, they are able to create new things. This is where language comes from. If someone is able to pass down a language, the language will continue to live and evolve with more usage.
The topic expresses global linguistic realities of endangered languages especially in low resource cultural groups that have not been able to transform multi-modal oral form of communication to written form. For instance, Nigerians speak over 500 distinctive dialects (as first languages) and less than 10% of the dialects were written. In fact, there are some local expressions which Nigerian would find difficult to express in lingua franca i.e., English. Besides, there is a growth of Pidgin English which was first spoken and later written in Nigeria. The world is consistently losing appreciable diverse languages and dialects, yet each social group and community continue to hold tight their unique forms of expression. The sustainability of such approach is premised on the size of the group, economic superstructure, and social capital in the global system.
Yes, I agree with you, @AbolajiAzeez, that many languages are endangered today due to globalization.
This topic is vital in the process of growth as we develop into the best version of ourselves. Language plays an important role for us to communicate with the community and to be understood alone. The crucial use of our first language can contribute as our stepping stone for learning the information of the world and to deeply connect with the people that surround us. Our first language will depict the culture that they possess and its uniqueness.
I find this topic interesting especially the idea where languages impact cultures as well connect people as one. First languages identifies ourselves, where we start and where we belong. Language connect people, as it helps us to communicate and understand their background, culture and where their opinions came from. Its really good to see that there are people who preserved their cultures and dialect
Human language is a complex behavior involving comprehension of spoken and written words, creating real-time communication through speaking. It involves cognitive, social, and biological processes like vocal cord operation and breath coordination.
Language is a complex system of sounds, meaning, and environmental factors. Phonemes are fundamental sounds, morphemes are meaning units, syntax controls word structure, and contextual information aids in understanding language meaning.
Language teaching involves teaching its system, rules of use, and the ability to understand and produce messages. This includes grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic aspects. Learners must develop skills in understanding spoken and written discourse, including receptive and productive skills, to effectively use the language system.
Teaching the Language System involves understanding the linguistic aspects of a language, including vocabulary, grammar, and functions, to effectively use it.
Lexical knowledge, traditionally single-word vocabulary, has evolved with the advent of corpus linguistics, which now encompasses multi-words and language expressions in its text corpus.
Grammar is a crucial aspect of language learning, combining words to produce correct utterances. Textbooks sequence grammar points based on learners' needs and ease of instruction, introducing simple constructions before complex ones.
Functions refer to the purpose of utterances, which can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Learning the system is not enough; learners must develop reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. While illiterate native speakers may understand spoken discourse, they may not have developed all language skills. Language skills are categorized into receptive and productive skills.
Human language is a complex behavior involving comprehension of spoken and written words, creating real-time communication through speaking. It involves cognitive, social, and biological processes like vocal cord operation and breath coordination.
Language is a complex system of sounds, meaning, and environmental factors. Phonemes are fundamental sounds, morphemes are meaning units, syntax controls word structure, and contextual information aids in understanding language meaning.
Language teaching involves teaching its system, rules of use, and the ability to understand and produce messages. This includes grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic aspects. Learners must develop skills in understanding spoken and written discourse, including receptive and productive skills, to effectively use the language system.
Teaching the Language System involves understanding the linguistic aspects of a language, including vocabulary, grammar, and functions, to effectively use it.
Lexical knowledge, traditionally single-word vocabulary, has evolved with the advent of corpus linguistics, which now encompasses multi-words and language expressions in its text corpus.
Grammar is a crucial aspect of language learning, combining words to produce correct utterances. Textbooks sequence grammar points based on learners' needs and ease of instruction, introducing simple constructions before complex ones.
Functions refer to the purpose of utterances, which can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Learning the system is not enough; learners must develop reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. While illiterate native speakers may understand spoken discourse, they may not have developed all language skills. Language skills are categorized into receptive and productive skills.
Human language is a complex behavior involving comprehension of spoken and written words, creating real-time communication through speaking. It involves cognitive, social, and biological processes like vocal cord operation and breath coordination.
Language is a complex system of sounds, meaning, and environmental factors. Phonemes are fundamental sounds, morphemes are meaning units, syntax controls word structure, and contextual information aids in understanding language meaning.
Language teaching involves teaching its system, rules of use, and the ability to understand and produce messages. This includes grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic aspects. Learners must develop skills in understanding spoken and written discourse, including receptive and productive skills, to effectively use the language system.
Teaching the Language System involves understanding the linguistic aspects of a language, including vocabulary, grammar, and functions, to effectively use it.
Lexical knowledge, traditionally single-word vocabulary, has evolved with the advent of corpus linguistics, which now encompasses multi-words and language expressions in its text corpus.
Grammar is a crucial aspect of language learning, combining words to produce correct utterances. Textbooks sequence grammar points based on learners' needs and ease of instruction, introducing simple constructions before complex ones.
Functions refer to the purpose of utterances, which can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Learning the system is not enough; learners must develop reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. While illiterate native speakers may understand spoken discourse, they may not have developed all language skills. Language skills are categorized into receptive and productive skills.
Human language is a complex behavior involving comprehension of spoken and written words, creating real-time communication through speaking. It involves cognitive, social, and biological processes like vocal cord operation and breath coordination.
Language is a complex system of sounds, meaning, and environmental factors. Phonemes are fundamental sounds, morphemes are meaning units, syntax controls word structure, and contextual information aids in understanding language meaning.
Language teaching involves teaching its system, rules of use, and the ability to understand and produce messages. This includes grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic aspects. Learners must develop skills in understanding spoken and written discourse, including receptive and productive skills, to effectively use the language system.
Teaching the Language System involves understanding the linguistic aspects of a language, including vocabulary, grammar, and functions, to effectively use it.
Lexical knowledge, traditionally single-word vocabulary, has evolved with the advent of corpus linguistics, which now encompasses multi-words and language expressions in its text corpus.
Grammar is a crucial aspect of language learning, combining words to produce correct utterances. Textbooks sequence grammar points based on learners' needs and ease of instruction, introducing simple constructions before complex ones.
Functions refer to the purpose of utterances, which can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Learning the system is not enough; learners must develop reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. While illiterate native speakers may understand spoken discourse, they may not have developed all language skills. Language skills are categorized into receptive and productive skills.