Re: Word(z)

Ellice A Forman (ellice+ who-is-at pitt.edu)
Wed, 11 Oct 1995 15:55:13 -0400 (EDT)

Francoise,
I think one of the confusions that is occurring in this discussion of
words is your use of "language". I believe you use "language" to mean
the same thing as "semiotics" that is, the use of sign systems.
Semiotics to me at least includes oral and written natural languages,
signed language such as American Sign Language, mathematical symbols,
visual symbols, musical notations, etc. When I use "language" I mean
something more limited than you do, I believe.

That's why I used the expression "obsession with self-expression through
language" in a previous message in contrasting preschool educational
practices in the U.S. with those in Japan or China. Of course
communication is stressed every where--but the means of communication may
vary depending upon the semiotic system that is valued in a particular
practice. The contrast in the Preschool in Three Cultures video is not
as simple as verbal vs. nonverbal expression. In Japan, language use is
valued in many ways but not primarily as a means of expressing one's
inner thoughts and feelings to other preschool children. Of course, the
children in the Japanese classroom did that but it wasn't stressed by the
teachers as much as it was in the U.S.
Ellice Forman
Department of Psychology in Education
University of Pittsburgh