Language as social semiotic The social interpretation of language and meaning by M.A.K Halliday

  

Stop 1

"What matters most to be a child is how much talking goes on around him, and how much he is allowed and encouraged to join in. There is strong evidence that the more adults talk to a child and listen to him and answer his questions, the more quickly and effectively he is able to learn."(p.201)

It resonated with me because, just last week, when I phoned my husband to ask about our son, he mentioned that our son frequently asks questions and shares his thoughts. I encouraged him to motivate and nurture our son's curiosity by welcoming his questions and doubts. I believe that fostering curiosity is essential for learning. When children are encouraged to express their thoughts and ask questions, they develop critical thinking skills and a natural desire to explore the world around them. This creates a strong foundation for lifelong learning and builds their confidence to engage actively with their environment.


Reflecting on my own experience as a student, I remember how we were often afraid to ask questions. We grew up with the belief that teachers were the ultimate authority and sole source of knowledge. This traditional approach to teaching discouraged us from questioning and made us suppress our doubts, creating an environment where students were passive learners rather than active participants in their education. Now, as an educator, I recognize the importance of cultivating a classroom culture that values curiosity, encourages dialogue, and empowers students to voice their thoughts.

Stop 2

"Many languages have the same word for yesterday and tomorrow. This doesn't mean that their speakers cannot distinguish between what has already happened and what is still to come."(p.198)

This thought stopped me because it challenges the way we usually think about languages. The idea that some languages use the same word for "yesterday" and "tomorrow" may seem confusing at first, as it might appear that their speakers can't tell the difference between the past and the future.However, this is not true.

 The Indian language Hindi/Urdu does this, so kal means either "yesterday" or "tomorrow" (and parsõ means both "2 days ago" or "2 days from now", and tarsõ means both "3 days ago" and "3 days for now").  It shows that people can understand complex ideas like time in different ways, even if their language doesn't always make it obvious.

"Hello" in many languages

It made me think about how language and culture shape how we understand the world. This idea reminds me that language isn't just about words—it's also about context and shared understanding. As an educator, it encourages me to look beyond surface assumptions and appreciate how people from different cultures and languages may think and communicate differently.

Reference

M. A. K. Halliday. (1978). Language as social semiotic: The social interpretation of language and meaning. London: Edward Arnold.

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