Make your own language? (October 20th, 2016)

In today's class we spent majority of the time going through everyone's new languages. It was actually quite a great experience to see how the different groups had perceived the task in varied ways, and thus the product was different from group to group. I personally think this particular activity enhanced my understanding of how language and perception are linked as the languages presented were completely ambiguous to us and yet we had to try and decipher the meanings unveiled in the messages being relayed.

However, whilst watching the performances was great, what I enjoyed more was the succeeding discussion we had. I learnt a lot about Italian culture and the significance of prominent gestures whilst on the other hand I also learnt that similar actions may be perceived in a contradicting way in countries like Japan and Korea as over exaggerated gestures connote aggression. One thing led to another and we somehow began commenting on the Indian head "bobbing." Now, I may have a got a little worked up in class about this as I personally believe that western media has over time skewed the perspective of so many different cultures and religions, that reality is not even sought after any more. People tend to limit their perception of cultures/religions merely to what their exposure allows them to.

I definitely think that Western portrayal of not only the Indian culture, but several other cultures, has heavily influenced society and the view point they adhere to. Why must an Arab country always be represented by vast deserts? Why must Italian culture always be associated with a thick accent and perhaps pizza? Why must Indians be characterized by their "head bobbing?" The list can go on and on. However, the point I am trying to make is that we have become a society where we blindly accept facts that are placed on a platter. We have stopped questioning things. It is almost as if we are going back in time. The questioning attitude that people once exhibited, the questioning attitude that allowed phenomenons like the Industrial Revolution and the Renaissance to prevail and propel our society, is again being curtailed.

I personally believe it is crucial for us to go beyond the facts simply provided to us. The aim is to do some exploration for ourselves and not simply agree with everything being told.