Some of the things that caught my attention in the second set of Crystal readings:
1) Grammar isn’t just structure and diagramming sentences, but instead it is connected to meaning through patterns and sequences. Rather than looking at grammar as a tree chart or parsed sentence, Crystal goes beyond traditional definitions and argues the importance of understanding grammar as a key element to the construction of meaning. He argues, “The aim of grammar…is to give structure to meaning” (p. 185).
2) How we make meaning through language is connected to grammar, but also to semantics and the medium of linguistic transmission (these three things comprise Crystal’s levels of inquiry related to language structure on p. 183). Within semantics we can understand how meaning is both expressed and understood. Crystal also emphasizes the importance of understanding the way meaning is conveyed between participants (i.e. speech, writing, signs, p. 183).
I am most interested in the third level, the medium of linguistic transmission and how this relates to meaning-making. As I noted above, Crystal focuses on speech, writing, and signs to discuss the third level, and I’m interested to see how this plays out in the classroom. He has already set the stage for multimodal representation and communication by introducing these three aspects of linguistic transmission, and I’m interested in the modes that he has “left out” (probably due to the fact that he’s focusing on linguistic language, not necessarily visual, non-linguistic texts).
While linguistic analysis of language is important to how we understand our meaning-making and communication in general, I think that it is also necessary to look at the non-linguistic aspects of communication that we use to convey meaning. I’m sure we’ll get to this, so I won’t beat it into the ground (too much), but I do want to point it out.
3) The other thing that caught my eye was the discussion concerning discourse and the idea that “language [is] a dynamic, social, interactive phenomenon” (p. 260). It is so important that we understand the fluidity of language, rather than seeing it as static and unchanging. The point Crystal makes about language as an identity marker (in the chapter about dead languages) is something we often do not think about (I know I don’t always explicitly recognize this). I hope I can help my students to understand how important their language is to their identities, and yet I’m still trying to figure out how to do this (writing assignment ideas, anyone?).
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My dad works as a newspaper editor, and he often sends me press releases that he receives, especially if they have amusing content. Here is one from today, and I find it funny considering our discussion in class.
5th Annual National Punctuation Day, September 24, Helps Schools and Businesses Promote Good Writing
Annual punctuation celebration stresses literacy for children and adults. Pinole, CA (PRWEB http://www.prweb.com/ ) September 10, 2008 -- Why is punctuation important Jeff Rubin the Punctuation Man http://www.punctuationplaytime.com/ and founder of National Punctuation Day http://nationalpunctuationday.com/ (September 24) explains that without punctuation http://nonfictioneditor.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/why-is-punctuation-important/> you would not be able to express your feelings in writing not to mention know when to pause or stop or ask a question or yell at someone and without punctuation you would not be able to separate independent clauses and show an example of how a business lost millions because of an errant comma so dont forget the most important punctuation mark $$$$$$ OK so a dollar signs isnt a punctuation mark but its important dont you agree
Careless punctuation mistakes cost time, money, and productivity. http://nationalpunctuationday.com The 5th Annual National Punctuation Day (NPD) will be held in schools and businesses across the U.S. on September 24th. NPD reminds us of the importance of proper punctuation for communicating clearly at school or at work. Visit the web site to see how proper punctuation is celebrated with activities in schools across the nation to teach good writing skills to students. It's also a day to remind business people that poor punctuation can cost your business millions of dollars.
Rogers Communications, for example, one of Canada's largest telecommunications companies, learned the hard way just how important proper punctuation could be, when an attorney misplaced a comma in a contract with a company that agreed to lay Rogers's cables across the Maritimes. A Canadian court said ignorance of correct punctuation was no excuse and invalidated what was believed to be an ironclad five-year contract. That errant squiggle alone cost Rogers $2.13 million. (You can read about this case at www.NationalPunctuationDay.com http://www.NationalPunctuationDay.com)
"Punctuation has been devalued by a generation of computer wizards who ask, 'What's the point? Nobody writes in complete sentences anymore,'" says Jeff Rubin, founder of National Punctuation Day. "But the rules of proper punctuation haven't changed just because of computers," he says.
"Casual shortcuts bred by e-mailing and text messaging have no place in professional business writing," Rubin says. "Words have power and help decision-makers form impressions immediately." Clarity and attention to detail remain imperative. Explains Rubin: "Careless punctuation mistakes cost time, money, and productivity."
The 5th Annual National Punctuation Day on September 24 draws attention to the importance of proper punctuation. Yes, proper punctuation is important, especially when a misplaced comma, as Rogers Communications learned, can alter the meaning of a sentence and cost you $,$$$,$$$!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL PUNCTUATION DAY
What can you do to participate in National Punctuation Day on September 24?
* Go to www.NationalPunctuationDay.com http://www.NationalPunctuationDay.com and become familiar with punctuation rules and issues.
* Forward this news as a way to spread the importance of proper punctuation.
* Organize punctuation activities at your school, library, or office
* Share examples with founder Jeff Rubin at jeff [at national punctuation day [dot com.
Founded in 2004 by former newspaperman Jeff Rubin, NPD is listed in Chase's Calendar of Events and The Teacher's Calendar, two directories published by McGraw-Hill.
The annual event is widely recognized. Bank of America in Tampa, FL, for example, commemorates NPD with a week-long array of celebrations and trivia contests. Last year, Rubin was a guest on dozens of radio shows, NPD received significant newspaper coverage, and the Dayton Business Journal in Ohio baked cookies and pastries in the shape of punctuation marks.
To learn how schools or companies can participate in National Punctuation Day, or to schedule an interview with Jeff Rubin, the Punctuation Man, visit www.punctuationplaytime.com http://www.punctuationplaytime.com, call Jeff at (877) 588-1212, or e-mail Jeff at jeff [at national punctuation day [dot com.
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