Week Three: Language

Part 1:
        I was engaged in conversation with my sister who did not know about the experiment. Of the two experiments, engaging in a conversation for fifteen minutes where I was not allowed to use any version of a symbolic language was less difficult to execute but there was noticeably more language content that I wanted to say but I had to hold back. It did not make it difficult but I was more anxious and frustrated during this experiment because there were many times where I wanted to say something or respond to something she said but I could not.
        Since my partner knew nothing of the experiment, she was slightly confused on why I was not saying anything because normally I am quite talkative. When she would say something to me that required a response and I would not respond, I felt as though I was being disrespectful and rude but it did not really phase her. She did not at all alter her way of communication with me because of my absence of symbolic communication because there have been times when I have stayed quiet and did not feel like talking but that normally means that something is wrong with me so she avoided asking if I was okay. At the end of the experiment when I told her what I was doing she said, "OH! I thought you just weren't being responsive today!" So she definitely noticed.
        If the conversation between my partner and I represented two different cultures meeting for the first time, the culture represented by my sister who was able to use symbolic language would have the advantage in communicating complex ideas. In my position, I was completely limited in what I could and could not explain. The culture I represented would have almost no way of fully communicating complex ideas because they would have no way to elaborate or clarify what they want to say. Sure they would be able to communicate some ideas through hand gestures, facial expression etc., but there is only so much that can explain. I think that the speaking culture could develop the attitude that they are "better" or have more power than the other culture because they have the opportunity to talk all they want about their culture and with the other culture not being able to say much, the culture with the ability to talk would feel like it is just their culture that is getting recognized.
        In my experience, I have come across people who are not physically incapable of communicating with spoken language, but who just do not like to. I am a mentor to middle school students and it is a part of my job to reach out and speak to all of them when we have our group time. There is one young girl specifically who does not talk to anyone. When you talk to her, she simply does not respond but every week she comes back to my group. It is easy for people to give up on her because it is a bit awkward and uncomfortable trying to communicate with someone who does not ever communicate back but I do not treat her any differently or communicate with her any differently than I do with my other students. I believe that if she wants to communicate with me back, she will find her own way to do it and in her own time.

Part 2:
        In the experiment where I could not communicate with any physical embellishments, I did not last the entire fifteen minutes. After this experiment, I noticed that I almost cannot communicate without any physical embellishment. It was difficult because previously, I did not realize before how much vocal intonation, body and facial movements I incorporate into my speech so there were many times where I had to stop myself in the middle of saying something because I noticed that I was using physical embellishments. I had to thoroughly think and try specifically not to use physical embellishments before I said something so it made talking stressful.
        My partner knew of this experiment while it was going on. She would notice when I would "cheat" and use physical embellishments and point it out each time. She did not alter her way of communicating with me during this experiment. At the same time, we both believed that it was nearly impossible for me to succeed and last a full fifteen minutes.
        This experiment says a lot about the use of "signs" in our language. While they are not necessary to communicate anything vocally, they are important and add emphasis, feeling and give a better understand about how the person talking wants to express their thoughts. They are not necessary but I imagine that this experiment would be difficult for everyone. It is what people in our culture is used to. We grow up learning signs to communicate. In situations where we are not supposed to be talking but we still want to communicate to someone, it is convenient to give a simple head nod for yes or a wave to say hello. It would be hard to adjust to communicating any other way.
        I do not think body language is difficult to read but I am sure there are people who find it difficult. Considering so many people incorporate body language as a form of communication, it is a great advantage to know how to read it. Often times, people are inaccurate when interpreting body language as well. A beneficial time where one is not reading body language would be when one misinterprets another's body language and there would be a whole embarrassing mess of miscommunication. For example, we have all been in the position where we think someone is waving to us when they are actually waving at the person behind us, we wave back anyway but they have no idea who we are so they look at us like we are crazy. That would be an ideal time to not read body language.

Part 3:
        The experiment in part one absolutely would have been easier if we were permitted to use written language. The very thing that made is difficult was that I could not communicate any thoughts back to my partner and if I could have written them down, I would be able to say anything that I wanted and we could have a full on conversation. I can express myself fully when I write and there would be no barrier between our conversation. It would take longer and be less convenient but it would work.
        Written language provides many advantages to cultures that develop and use it. It is basic in succeeding in education, it allows one to communicate to people far away, it is a way for people to express themselves and it is universal when it can be translated.
        The written language has had a huge impact on globalization. It has allowed people everywhere to communicate anything they want to about their culture and share it with each other. I am currently reading a book about the personal testimonies of child beggars in India. It helps me understand what they went through from their very own perspective in their part of the world. I could have learned about it from someone who observed it all happen but there is more power and accuracy in learning about the Indian culture from a primary source. We all have things to learn about each other in the world and the written language allows us to express and share that with each other.