Alfiya Johar, Week 10- The Power of Language
The Kish Tablet
The exact origins of language are uncertain as it is possible for some sort of human language to have existed from the start of the human species. However, records date the earliest forms of written language to about 3,500 BC with the proto-Sumerian Kish Tablet. Discovered as late as the 1900s, this written script is allowing us to learn more about the ancient Babylonian civilization over five thousand years later!
From an educational standpoint, written language has allowed for the ideas of people of the past to transcend their deaths. This has significantly improved our understanding of history. Instead of being limited to mere speculation about what happened thousands of years ago, written language acts as a primary source that allows us to better gauge what truly happened and what life was really like in times so different from ours today. Cave paintings, for example, provide us valuable insight into the lives of primitive humans.
Written script has a universal value as well. The immortalization of thoughts that language allows for can help us make future advancements more efficiently by learning from our past efforts, both successes and failures.
Additionally, language is a means of communication and self-expression. It allows for the spread of knowledge and ideas that change our perspective of the world. Language allows us to learn from other points of view and adopt new ways of thinking. Without a means of communication, we would be limited to one world view and our species would be unable to advance.
Language, especially written script, is a power that humans should wield and practice with pride. It is an invaluable tool not just for historians, but for everyone.
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I liked the little history lesson you gave about the origin of language because I learned that before the English alphabet, people had to draw literal images to write, which is hard to imagine because just writing a couple lines per letter already makes my hand hurt. It's really cool to see how language has evolved from what it once was into the standard letters we see now, as that means that every single letter was once something more than it is now. The point about written language enabling ideas to survive through the lifetimes of the original writer emphasizes how human knowledge is cumulated, where each generation builds upon the discoveries and ideas of those before. The reference to cave paintings as a form of prehistoric communication speaks to the many ways in which humans have expressed themselves to document their experiences throughout history. Artists, for example, can explain parts of their lives in paintings, and authors can do that by writing stories. Language is not just a way to preserve the past, but also a way that can drive forward societal progress.
ReplyDeleteHi Alfiya, I find communication of all kinds interesting due to the intricacies of the topic. For example, facial expressions can communicate just as much or more than the written language. I agree that written language, specifically, is fascinating because it allows for the spread of information throughout great distances which leads to the advancement of humanity. The diversity in different forms of written language can sometimes change the meaning of the communicated message, making it more likely for aberrations to occur (which could spark change).
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how each paragraph explores a different dimension of the written language. This creates a logical path for the audience to follow, first proving that the written language is valuable to understanding history then arguing that the written language is also powerful in the form of expression. It can be easy to fall into the trap of taking the written language for granted as it is one of the first skills we learn as children. Though English is one of the first subjects students in America start to learn, we also continue to learn more about the language throughout our schooling.
I also find your inclusion of the Kish Tablet in your blog post amplifying as it highlights the idea of markings that people can gain meaning from. This takes the focus away from the specific words or meaning (unlike including an excerpt from a speech or a specific effect of one text). Instead the focus is placed on the existence of the written language, whatever its form. This is repeated when you mention cave paintings as a form of communication. Would you consider paintings and other forms of visual art to be considered written communication? I initially did not, but I now see an argument for visual art being considered written communication.
Hi Alfiya! I enjoyed how your blog emphasizes the importance of language in understanding the past. Your blog raises the significance of how the earliest forms of written language can play a role in the present day. The introduction of the earliest form of a written language on a tablet is appealing and engages me to learn more about past writings.
ReplyDeleteI felt informed and intrigued by the mentioning of how past language not only displays what the past was like, but allows people to improve the future. This was a unique reflection on how past artifacts can serve as lessons to improve the future as the years progress. It also reminds me that in general, reading books helps to expand our knowledge and learn from our past efforts. Books like Atomic Habits or The Common Good serve to inspire people on how to approach the world. These books are like works from the past and also allow people to reflect on what they can do better.
Hi Alfiya! I really enjoyed reading your blog as you talked about the origins of language. Your thoughts on the start of language and how it still matters today is something I highly agree with. Language is how we communicate and build relationships with others. It is definitely true how writing helps us understand what happened in the past. This reminds me of the Rosetta Stone, whose inscriptions allowed scientists to decode previously unintelligible hieroglyphs. The idea that humans used to draw instead of writing in the past is so fascinating to me as I cannot imagine how long that must take. In recent times, we can write lengthy paragraphs in such little time. It is truly impressive how language is not just a universal tool to help decode the past, but also serves as a way to communicate and progress. Overall, this was a very insightful blog to read.
ReplyDeleteHi Alfiya,
ReplyDeleteThe topic of language is not one we often reflect on in our day-to-day lives, reading, writing, and talking come naturally to most people. However, your blog caused me to reflect on our lives if society had never formed and spoken a common language. How would any knowledge or discoveries be spread? How would we ask each other for favors and give each other compliments? The disadvantages sound endless. I also appreciate your inclusion of historical context regarding the proto-Sumerian Kish Tablet, as it further enunciated my thoughts on how powerful language really is. Through written documentation, people and societies can wield influence long after their physical presence fades away. They can create documentation, such as literature forms and plays that allow future generations to gain an insight on societies and lifestyles in previous decades. The capacity and power people have to create such a timeless heritage empowers individuals to change history itself and enhance the shared knowledge of humanity, similar to your mention of language’s universal value.
Your point that language gives us a way to self-express is rather important, it definitely serves as a powerful method through which we can articulate our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and experiences. The influence of language on humanity across generations is frequently underestimated, yet it arguably remains one of the most significant tools created by mankind.