Read: Salikoko S Mufwene, “The Origins and The Evolution of Language.” In The Oxford Handbook of The History of Linguistics. Ed. by Keith Allan. Oxford Universtity Press.
Reflect: We begin this post by considering Mufwene’s statement, “Language may be a more cultural phenomenon than some of us have assumed. I submit that language is indeed one of the facets of human culture, and that both linguists and anthropologists may have been misguided in speaking of language and/in culture as if they were opposed to each other on the same plane. (Mufwene, pp 49-50)
We consider this week the evolution of language in terms of a shift from medieval creation theories regarding language in Western history to modern-scientific ones. We use Mufwene’s essay here to identify key similarities and differences among modern theories of language. Specifically problematic is that they treat language as a tool or technology.
In our reflection, we are mindful of the modern move to place knowledge and language in the human being rather than in a God accessible only by a church or institutional official (as in the medieval). We use Mufwene’s essay, then, to examine modern theories about language and their notion of a distinctly human faculty of reason. Further, we critically examine a distinctly modern understanding of language that is confined to and reproduces a binary of reason/written form and emotion/spoken form in the modern effort to define what is human or “civil.”
respond to the following four questions:
1. What is Mufwenes critique of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s modern essay on the origin of language? And what is meant by a stratification of populations? (p. 20)
2. What does Mufwene say are the similarities and differences upheld by both Mller and Jean-Jacques Rousseau regarding the spoken word and the written word and to which two different types of language do they refer? To what separate faculties are they believed to belong? (See p. 26)
3. What is meant by Mufwene by the term “social prejuidce” or “social bias?” What is Mufwene’s clear response to this bias or prejudice prevalent in the civilizing mission? [La Mission Civilisatrice] (See p. )
4. What does Mufwene have to say about Saussures statement that speech makes language evolve?
In your discussion, be sure to address the common, modern belief in a superiority of alphabetic languages as a result of self-declaration (in terms of a “superiority complex” as we will later read in Fanon)– not a naturally evolved or divinely given superiority. Mufwene situates this distinctly modern, Western belief in relation to a civil/barbaric and rational/emotive binary logic.
Remember, modern theories, Mufwene writes, uphold the belief that language is a technology; a tool. And, as a tool, it is suited to carry out a goal or a truth. Modern linguists, scientists, and philosophers (such as Rousseau or Darwin) did not understand language as specifically given to humanity by God or a divine source. Rather, modern linguists, scientists and philosophers, understood language as a technology of humanity. This was the dominant belief underpinning the culture of modern, Western territorial and economic expansion that was distinctly different from the medieval period.
Also, in your response, be certain to use examples to express your understanding and position in relation to the question to which you are responding. It is a requirement that each of your initial forum posts begin with a clear and concise thesis statement. Be sure, then, to begin your post here with the following type of phrase, “In this response I discuss and evaluate Mufwene’s critical examination of some influential, modern theories regarding the purpose and origin of language.” Or something similar; in your own words. You may elect to use this exact thesis statement.
