Comments on: Technology As Another Language?

By: Langwitches » World Language Teachers Integrating Technology

Langwitches » World Language Teachers Integrating Technology — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:34:55 +0000

[...] is just another language. Both of them fit together like Pizza and Empanadas, Peanut Butter and Jelly or Nutella with [...]

By: Langwitches » Just Learned About Just Learned

Langwitches » Just Learned About Just Learned — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:31:49 +0000

[...] I left a comment on Heather’s post: I speak 3 languages to communicate with friends, family and at work. I consider technology to be my 4th language to be able to communicate. I blogged about this a while back on Technology as another language [...]

By: Reuven W.

Reuven W. — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:09:08 +0000

Hi Silvia,
i think the idea you present here about technology as a language is what I am trying to do with my tech club.
We are exploring tools like Animoto, Voice Thread, etc. and trying to learn in what ways they can help us try to get what we want to say across. We have just started but are having much fun learning.

By: Danita Russell

Danita Russell — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:25:07 +0000

Great post! I have often thought of music being another language, but hadn’t thought of technology. Now, I see that technology is just as much another language.

Thanks so much for your insights!
Danita

By: Faces of Web 2.0 ? 21st Century Teachers

Faces of Web 2.0 ? 21st Century Teachers — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:12:50 +0000

.. oh and as far as technology being considered another language .. maybe the terminology and such yes .. but how the sentences and structured and the parts of the brain used to deal with language structures and usage .. not as much. Any field of study could be considered “another language.”

But, that we use technology now for language acquisition and a variety of communication channels and methods, it certainly is important for language.

By: Faces of Web 2.0 ? 21st Century Teachers

Faces of Web 2.0 ? 21st Century Teachers — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:06:23 +0000

Silvia … very good question. I think most monolingual people that speak “power” languages really don’t think about it at all, feeling imprisoned that is. Especially if their language is the no 1 dominant language of communication, technology, business, power, etc.,such as English. But, studies show that those that do speak another language are more flexible in their thinking, a skill much needed in todays interconnected world. I suggested to my older brother once that he should start language classes with his 2 young children a few years ago .. and I was quickly told, “English is the only language they need.” Case closed. So most people let other things get in the way of rounding out their and their children’s education.

I speak 2 languages and bits and pieces of others (critical stuff like “Where is the bathroom?” haha).

Things are changing for native English speakers … as China and India are moving up the power ladder … of course most people in India speak English since it was still a British colony until 1947 … but even so .. they just as China are strengthening their national native languages of Mandarin and Hindi. Time to wake up and smell the coffee. A second language should be mandatory in curriculum. Those young executive that speak both English and Spanish are doing to be more attractive for domestic jobs in the USA .. and those that speak other languages for international positions. And those that speak any two or more languages are going to be better thinkers all around (If I were hiring, I would definitely pay attention)

Frank