Biological Language

               The Carnie reading discussed a variety of subjects relating to syntax, including theories of linguistics, grammar and the rules that languages operate by, parts of speech, cases, lexical/functional categories, and, interestingly, the scientific method.   It was a very informative reading in the sense that a lot of material was covered to at least a decent degree of thoroughness.  To me, the most interesting topics were the ones discussing the structure of languages (as hierarchical, recursive, etc.) and how that allows language to accomplish so much, and also the parts about how language and syntax are acquired. 

               On a side note, this reading was fascinating to read much in the same way that the readings from last week were. Regularly throughout the reading I was able to reflect on what was being said and try it out for myself and see how it made sense. It was as if I inherently already knew the material being presented and how it worked in language but had never really examined and consciously thought about it. I think this is actually a strong argument for language being acquired in a way as unconsciously as the ability to speak and form sounds as discussed in last week’s readings.   The movements and constrictions in our mouths are obviously biological and not consciously learned. Before these readings, I had considered language to be something learned mostly socially, but I now see a link in between the two that makes me see that there is a large biological component in learning and speaking a language. 

               Something in the reading that made me curious was the fact that parents trying to formally instruct their children to speak language by correcting them accomplishes nothing.  It struck me distinctly because I have seen practically every parent I know do this with their children.  Would it make any difference at all to a child’s learning of a language, then, if the parent consistently encouraged poor grammar?  What about if everyone in that child’s household consistently used a certain ill-formed construction?  Would the child be able to see past all of this and still learn the language correctly?