2c California language

*Contains the sources you used with links to these sources .25 points
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_California
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_English

1. Contains a brief paragraph how it connects to your study of humanities. 1 point

California, like much of America, is very unique because it is a melting pot for people of all different cultures. Because of this diversity there are so many languages that can be heard anywhere you turn. "California Language" connects to our study of humanities because it shows how people from all over the world can coexist and communicate with each other despite the language barrier. I also find that the diverse amount of languages in California make it a place of learning were people can teach and learn from each other much like Freire strived for in his lifetime.

2. Contains the following "analytical elements":
a. Observation: What did you choose? What do you see or hear or feel or think of in the choice you made? What is the subject of the work? If you chose a 'thing' what is the work made of and what techniques (colors, lines, shapes, textures)does the creator use? Be specific in your description. If you chose a place, be specific in your description of what you see or hear. Talk to your reader as though they cannot see the item but somehow must draw a painting of what you see or hear. 1 point

I chose to take a look at the languages of California. Everytime I walk down the street I hear people speaking to each other. Sometimes what they are saying I cannot comprehend even though, strangely enough, it may be in English. I am constantly hearing new words that are meant to describe emotions or actions and each time I learn a new one I have to think about it for awhile and figure out how I can incorporate it myself into my language. Ontop of new english words constantly being introduced I find that many people use words from different languages combined with their native tongue. These combinations of words have often been given names of their own such as "Spanglish". When I witness this mix of new and foreign words I feel strange that, even though it is not my language or something I am familiar with, I can understand it. I am proud that I can coexist and understand so many different forms of speech.

b. Interpretation: What is your choice about? Give specific examples to support this statement in 2 sentences; do so in a way that teaches us something about your choice. Make Paulo Freire proud! .75 point

California is the home to many different languages including English, Spanish, Chinese and a less officially accepted language known as California english which includes a distinct dialect. The languages spoken in California represent the long and diverse history of the state and the people that have and do reside in it.

c. Judgment: What led you to your choice? What do you think or feel about this choice? Why do you feel this way? Support your thoughts with specific observations. .5 point

I chose to look at the languages of California because it has always fascinated me when I heard the people all around me speaking in various dialects. I also always found it interesting when I listened to those closest to me. Some of my friends speak two languages while others are strong in one but still use phrases and words from another language when speaking. I personally love immersing myself in different cultures and trying to understand what is going on and is being said. Many of my family members speak many different languages for my family is very diverse so studying the languages of the people around me is almost like studying my different heritages.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about this choice? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. Example: I learned that John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath was based on his personal experience working with farm workers. I would like to know if the characters he used in that book are fictitious or are they people he met? .5 point

Spanish is the second most prevalent language in California. What was the second most prevalent language spoken twenty years ago?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

I chose to look at Carly Overlids blog on San Francisco. I learned that San Francisco is one of Californias largest cities as well as one of the largest cities in America. It has a population of 764,976 people, having one of the most diverse populations in the world. I feel this is related to our class because we focus on diversity and how cultures can learn and connect with each other. With so many different people in one place people can teach and learn everyday simply because they are neck deep in different cultures. San Francisco also houses a huge amount of cultural history that is very important to our society.
http://carlyosblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/2a-san-francisco.html