Topic 2

Topic 2: Defining and Distinguishing Language and Literacy

What is Language?

  • Form of Communication: Language is fundamentally a form of communication, encompassing various methods including:

    • Spoken Language: Utilizes sounds (phonemes).

    • Written Language: Comprises marks on a surface (graphemes).

    • Paralanguage: Includes visual elements such as gestures, facial expressions, body language, and proxemics (the use of space).

Language Compared to Animal Communication

  • Human Communication Features:

    • Humans utilize visual, spoken, and written signs for communication.

    • Unlike animals, which primarily use non-verbal communication (e.g., sounds, movement, body positions), human language incorporates multiple systems (both verbal and non-verbal).

  • Distinctiveness: Language differentiates human communication, reinforcing the idea that human capabilities in expressing thoughts and ideas transcend those of animals.

Language as a Semiotic System

  • System of Signs:

    • Language is described as a semio1c system comprising:

      • Sign: The basic unit of communication combining signifier and signified.

      • Signifier: The sound-image or written symbol conveying meaning.

      • Signified: The concept or meaning that the signifier refers to.

  • Arbitrariness of Signs: The connection between the signifier and signified is inherently arbitrary. For example, the word "fish" has no intrinsic connection to the entity it represents.

Characteristics of Language

  • Systematic: Language follows rules related to phonemes and the structure of signs.

  • Symbolic: Signs have no direct relationship to what they signify.

  • Conventional: The meanings of signs stem from social agreement within language communities.

  • Social Practice: Language is intertwined with cultural practices, shaping meaning within various groups.

Summary of Language

  • Language is:

    • A form of communication.

    • Systematic, symbolic, arbitrary, conventional, and a social practice.

  • Definition: "A system of arbitrary signs agreed to by a community of users, transmitted and received for specific purposes in relation to the shared world of the users." (Emmitt et al., 2015)

Language in Focus

Thinking Without Language

  • Reflect on personal experiences of attempting to think without language:

    • Did you find it challenging?

    • What emphasizes the role of language in thought processes?

Importance of Language

  • Language and thought are deeply interconnected, influencing perceptions and cognition.

Literacy in Focus

Evolving Definitions of Literacy

  • Historical Context: The concept of literacy has seen significant debate and fluctuation since the early 1970s:

    • Definitions continuously evolve based on social and cultural contexts (Durrant and Green, 2000).

    • Literacy involves a wide range of constructions and interpretations (Allan Luke, 1988).

Contemporary Literacy Frameworks

  • Literacy is viewed as socially and culturally constructed, emphasizing:

    • Complexity and dynamism.

    • Integration within social practices.

  • Not merely a skill set, literacy is a way of operating within socially situated practices. Various cultural contexts affect literacy practices.

Pluralized Nature of Literacy

  • Recognition of multiple literacies or multiliteracies, rather than a singular literacy concept. This concept implies adaptability across contexts and cultures, noting literacy's importance for engagement in societal and educational structures.

  • Success in literacy connects directly to broader life outcomes and identities.

Literacy as a Social Justice Issue

UNESCO Perspectives

  • Literacy is a fundamental aspect of human rights and education, highlighting:

    • The role of literacy in societal participation and livelihood improvement.

    • Definition extends beyond basic reading and writing skills to include understanding and communication in a digital and fast-paced world.

Definitions for ED1421

Characteristics of Effective Literacy

  • Flexible: Adapt performance to meet specific contextual demands.

  • Sustainable: Focus on continuous achievement over time.

  • Mastery: Achievements indicative of high proficiency.

  • Repertoire: A range of literacy practices for complex tasks.

Language and Literacy in the Australian Curriculum

Language Strand

  • Development of knowledge about the English language including:

    • Variations in English related to historical and geographical factors.

    • Effective interaction and expression through spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

    • Coherent communication through structured sentences and texts.

Literacy Strand

  • Aimed at fostering:

    • Appropriateness, accuracy, confidence, fluency, and efficacy in text interpretation and creation.

    • Engagement with diverse types of texts (media, everyday, and specialized).

    • Skills to adapt language for various audiences and contexts.

Learning Outcomes for Students

  • Exposure to:

    • Different cultural perspectives on texts.

    • Interactions that promote ideas and defense of arguments through effective language use.

    • Sophisticated skills in interpreting and analyzing texts across mediums to impact audiences.