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With a partner (or independently), pick one quote and respond to questions A, B and question C : What is assumed or taken for granted about language and knowledge in each (your chosen) quote?

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Alicia & Edelynn

A. Yes. I agree with Polanyi's observation that a large portion of our knowledge is hidden, which means that we act upon knowledge even when we can't completely show it. This is seen in practical skills (like riding a bike or playing an instrument) where the knowledge is more experiential.

B. The quote implies that language is not the only factor in knowledge. Although language facilitates communication and idea expression, some types of knowledge, including instinct, muscle memory, and experiential insights, are hard or impossible to put into words. Polanyi makes the argument that a lot of our knowledge is implicit or subconscious and isn't always able to be articulated well in words. Which means that it is impossible for language to fully express the breadth of human knowledge and experience.
C. The quote makes the assumption that knowledge transcends language. Certain types of information are assumed to be implicit or non-verbal, deriving from experience, instinct, or implicit comprehension instead of being expressed clearly. Even though language is a powerful tool, it cannot completely describe or explain every aspect of what we know, especially when it comes to things like emotions, intuition, and physical abilities.

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Cathleen and Yao

“Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?”

Melina Marchetta

1. Do you agree or disagree with the quotation?

We agree with Melina Marchetta's quote. Language is an important aspect of our lives because without language there will be no communication. Without communication, people won't be able to build connections or express themselves.

2. What do you think the quotation suggests about language and knowledge?

Language is a way that we can gain knowledge. We share our knowledge with one another through communication. Language also becomes a vital part of understanding the world, us, and everything. Without language, we would not be able to express what we know. Knowledge is also correlated with our personal experiences. Losing the ability to express ourselves would also mean losing the ability to share our experiences and connect with others.

3. What is assumed or taken for granted about language and knowledge in each quote?

This quote assumes that language is essential for knowledge. It assumes that language is what allows us to share our knowledge, culture, and experiences and what ultimately allows us to grow as a society.

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Brandon

"All our knowledge has been built communally; there would be no astrophysics, there would be no history, there would not even be language, if man were a solitary animal." — Jacob Bronowski

A. Do you agree or disagree with the quotation?

I agree with this quotation. Knowledge is built together.

B. What do you think of the quotation?

It highlights that knowledge comes from working together and that communication is important for learning.

C. What is assumed or taken for granted about language and knowledge in this quote?

It assumes that language is needed to share and grow knowledge, and that being alone would slow down learning.

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Kenneth nad Davis

"We know more than we can tell"

a. yes

b. Judging by this quote the writer understands that our humans minds are powerful. The brain contain hidden knowledge in everyone's subconcious that can't normally be expressed in words.

c. the quote above shows that we often underestimate our own knowledge

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Michelle & Gaby

“We are biologically programmed for speech. We have the neurological, genetic and anatomical template that green-lights the possibility of language.” - Adam Rutherford

1. Do you agree or disagree with this quotation?

We agree with this quotation. Humans are anatomically equipped with the ability to speak and were given the intellect to be able to communicate through language.

2. What do you think the quotation suggests about language and knowledge?

The quotation suggests that language and knowledge are things that come naturally to all of us. Being programmed for speech means that the idea of language and knowledge is something that exists in us since birth whether we recognize it or not.

3. What is assumed or taken for granted about language and knowledge in this quote?

In this quote, it is assumed that every human being is equipped with the ability to communicate through language.

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22/08/2024 | Angel Sudi, Chloe Chen

5. 'Language is a process of free creation; it's laws and principals are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.' Noah Chomsky (1928-)

a. Yes, we agree with this quotation as we believe that language is fluid and can be adjusted in many ways. It is, in a way, not only a social construct, but also a way where it is constantly changing throughout the times. For example, the word 'gay'. It once meant happy, but now means an individual's sexual orientation. The changes in languages across the world have the same structural as per Chomsky's theory of UG, but as said in the quotation, are infinitely varied.

b. We believe that the the quotation suggests that our perspective and background influences the way in which we use the language. Say, there are different scenarios where I would utilize more casual words or more formal ones. More privileged individuals would hold their words more carefully while those who are in lower financial conditions might not. These situations are a culmination of the knowledge we have built throughout our lives through experiences in our surroundings.

c. It assumes that the idea of free creation in language is already set in stone yet leaves little room for debate where one may disagree and pursue the idea of a linear form of way to commune with language. Although language should be something that is diverse, we believe that there cannot be a limited concept regarding that factor even if it assumes that freedom will be achieved.

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Faye and Audrey K

a. The quote by Marchetta is agreeable, as language is vital to day-to-day communication. Without the concept of language, humanity would be set back by a lot. While humans could still possibly find a non-verbal way of communicating, it would be different without language.

b. Language is a way for humans to encapsulate their knowledge. Therefore, language and knowledge are inherently intertwined with one another. With the concept of language now, humans have the capability to advance further in their knowledge. This implies the foundational purpose of language overall.

c. Language makes up one's identity, as implied within the quote by Marchetta. Humans are privileged to comprehend one another through not only words but also other verbal and visual means, such as art or sign language. We have the freedom to express our identities with all sorts of language. The different expressions such as art or sign language may assist one to communicate in ways that are not strictly with words or verbal means.

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2. ‘Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?’

1. Do you agree or disagree with the quotation?

Yes, I agree with the quotation because language is definitely needed in putting our thoughts, knowledge, and emotions into words. In a sense, we have lost ourselves without language because we are absolutely clueless without language. Not being able to say what we want to say, and being lost in our thoughts.

2. What do you think the quotation suggests about language and knowledge?

The quotation suggests that by having language, everyone is able to communicate, and express their thoughts. The quotation suggests that language is very important aspect for our lives, and essentially ensuring we won't be lost in our thoughts, and expressing it well.

3. What is assumed or taken for granted about language and knowledge in each (your chosen) quote?

People rarely have the appreciation that language truly deserves. Many people don't realise, but not being able to communicate is the hardest thing to experience.

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Viv + Joel (Quoatation 3)

"We know more than we can tell."

1. We agree, since languages are limited while our knowledge is ever expansive, beyond comprehension, and beyond physical presentations.

2. It suggest that language is limited in how we could present even a fraction of the knowledge that we know, and though language is still expanding, it could not keep up with the near limitless concept of knowledge. This is also due to the fact that human comprehension and thought could differ despite the usage of definite terms.

3. The quote implies and assumes that language is an ineffective method to communicate knowledge. There is much knowledge that is difficult to communicate and thus put in a language format. In today's 21st century, globalization makes language more expandable since assimilation and the borrowing of different concepts and terminology in language can be practiced much further.

and thus we take it for granted since the learning process to learn such languages is easier than ever, so we value it.

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Bianca & Caitlin

"Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?" - Melina Marchetta

a) We disagree with this quote, because although language plays a huge part in our identity and ourselves, we can still gain knowledge without it. We as humanity, have found ways to communicate who we are and what we think to other people, this quote may be true at some point in time, but the world changes and thus so does the view on this quote.

b) The quotation suggests that without language or words we are going to lose ourselves, our identity. However, the reality is that there are people who are born with a disability or deprived of the use of speech or words, in which they are not able to articulate their opinions and thoughts verbally. But does that mean that they are nothing? In fact, they are still human beings with thoughts, opinions, and feelings, no different from others who are able to use words for speech.

c) The quote assumes that language is the primary means through which we acquire, express, and share knowledge. Without language, the ability to learn, understand, and convey information is severely impaired.

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4. All our knowledge has been built communally; there would be no astrophysics, there would be no history, there would not even be language, if man were a solitary animal. Jacob Bronowski (1908-1974) (Daniel and Max Dp1)

1. Do you agree or disagree with the quotation?

We agree with Jacob Bronowski's quote. We humans are social creatures, which allows us to develop and grow as individuals. However, if the ability to socialize was taken away from us, nothing would be able to be built.

2. What do you think the quotation suggests about language and knowledge?

It suggests that knowledge and language without communication is futile. Take for example, technology, without the use of communication or language, we would have never been able to share the discoveries that we have made over a long period of time. Back then, all we had was sticks and rocks, but now we have a way to travel far distances within seconds. This change only could have happened due to our passing down of knowledge from ancestor to generation.

3. What is assumed or taken for granted about language and knowledge in each quote?

In Jacob Bronowski’s quote, it assumes that communication is the only factor in human's success. However, although it is partially true, we must also take the fact that our ability to reason and think is another contributing factor in the spread of knowledge. Take for example, animals, they have the ability to communicate, but still don't have the technology that we humans have.

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Sally and Joshua

Quote #3 “We know more than we can tell.”

1. We both disagree with this quotation.

2. We both think that this quotation suggests that humans are more prone to have knowledge than in being able to use language. We also think it suggests how a lot of times humans find it hard to express knowledge through words, that’s why we know more than we can tell.

3. We think that this quote is taking language for granted because language is way more broad than just the ability to voice out knowledge in words. A lot of times, knowledge can be expressed through body language, emotions, as well as sign language. Without realizing, a lot of knowledge can be accidentally expressed through any type of language even when we unconsciously do it.

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Chloe Lin

I find this perspective compelling because language is indeed central to our sense of self and our understanding of the world. Language shapes how we think, communicate, and relate to others. Without it, our ability to articulate thoughts, emotions, and experiences would be severely limited, impacting our sense of identity and community.

The quotation suggests that language is not merely a tool for communication but a fundamental element of our identity and understanding of the world. It implies that our knowledge and perception of ourselves are deeply intertwined with our ability to use and understand language. Language enables us to conceptualize and articulate our experiences, which in turn shapes our knowledge and self-concept. Without language, our capacity to construct and share meaning would be compromised, affecting both individual and collective understanding.

The quote assumes that language is essential for self-identity and personal coherence. It takes for granted that our sense of self is intricately linked to our ability to use and understand language.