Week 12: Storylab, Language

How Language Evolves- Alex Gendler

Language is something I don't often think about where it all came from. It amazes me that at one time there were small civilizations, that eventually broke off and created their own interpretations of communication. The thousands of languages existing today can all be traced back. As populations continued to grow, people continued to divide and start their own lifestyle. Being separated from one another gave everyone the opportunity to eat different foods, live in different climates, and adapt to nature in different ways. We use grammar and syntax to see how different languages are related.
Another question I came across how words become words. We already have 170,000 but continue to grow our language all the time. English borrows words from languages all the time. We make words by compound words or merging words together. Sometimes new words aren't really new words, but gain a new meaning. Language is so interesting and so fascinating!

(ted talk)

Week 12: Alice in Wonderland Reading Part B

Wonderland: A Mad Tea-Party
This story is part of the Alice in Wonderland unit. Story source: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865).

In the British and Celtic unit I chose to read Alice in Wonderland because of how familiar I am with the story. I want to focus on Alice and her character role. In the Mad Tea Party, I noticed the Mad Hare and the Mad Hatter were not as eager to make room for Alice. However, she held her own and sat down. What I really like about Alice is that she isn't timid or intimidated by the Mad Hare and Mad Hatter. There's a confidence about her that demands respect. I love that she is able to keep up with the Mad Hare and Mad Hatter in all their nonsense and unanswered riddles. Sometimes, Alice is not a party pooper, but a realist. She is the type of person that buds in and unintentionally kills the vibe of the riddle or story. Keeping in mind she is in a literal Wonderland and associating with "mad" people and animals!

Mad Tea Party