[ESL Weblog] Steven Pinker on Language & Thought

[Tdol]

just posted the following entry:

Steven Pinker on Language & Thought


I've just found the following video in which Steven Pinker looks at language, and the way it expresses the workings of our minds. By analysing common sentences and words, he shows us how, in what we say and how we say it, we're communicating much more than we realise.

Click here to read the full article

[ian2]

Originally Posted by Tdol

just posted the following entry:

Steven Pinker on Language & Thought


I've just found the following video in which Steven Pinker looks at language, and the way it expresses the workings of our minds. By analysing common sentences and words, he shows us how, in what we say and how we say it, we're communicating much more than we realise.

Click here to read the full article

Thanks, Tdol. This is great. I remember this Harvard guy had an intellectual confrontation with Lakoff in an article. Really want to hear what he says about language in general.

[Veron1]

Thanks Tdol for this video

Here are some examples he gave and people laughed at but I couldn't understand why did they laugh
Steven says that there is another intention or meaning in these sentences.
Well, I didn't get the point,Tdol
Examples:
1- I was just thinking that may be we could take care of it here in Fargo.
2- If you could pass the guacamole,that would be owesome.
3- Would you like to come up and see my etchings

Please Tdol explain me what is the very meaning which makes the audience laugh

Thanks in advance

I.A

[Tdol]

1 Far too much hedging and hesitation- was just + maybe + could- three tentative expressions.
2 Awesome- over the top, exaggerated expression for such a small favour
3 This sentence has a sexual undertone- it implies that person is inviting the other into their house to do one thing, while they are planning a seduction.

[Veron1]

Got it!

Thank you Tdol

I.A