Language. I encourage you to learn about Noam Chomsky. A linguist of the highest degree, he taught at Harvard. When he speaks, people come from miles away. At age 90, he is still that relevant and important.
Your problem is that you do not have a thesis. Remember that word? Nothing will frighten students more than that word. Thesis is much more different than hypothesis which is used in science.
Thesis: What is your paper about and what are you trying to convince your readers about that issue?
Language: This is a question for the social sciences. I ask you.... What are the two characteristics of humans that separate us from all other animals?
I am waiting. Are you ready? Here goes....
The ability of humans to speak and to stand upright and walk are characteristics found in no other creature on this earth. It is encoded in our DNA.
Let me ask you...
How did our particular language from our particular culture arise?
How far back in human history do we have knowledge of our language or the beginning of our language?
Did our language form on its own OR did it begin as another language from which many other languages also evolved?
If that is true, did the different languages begin as one within a certain geographical region?
What is the evidence that this is true?
Did these different languages share a "common ancestor" language?
How far back in human history is there evidence that this may have been the case?
What languages may have arisen from this geographical region?
Why did the languages change over time?
What differences distinguish your language from the other languages derived from this "common ancestor?"
Was the change due to movement of different groups to other geographical regions?
Can language define a culture?
Can that language be spoken by different cultures?
Can changes within cultures also change the language so that the basic structure is not disturbed?
Did other languages come in contact with your language and did it change your language to what it is today?
What was that change, if any?
Can language define a culture?
Referring to your language, what are the differences, if any, in your culture compared to a culture that speaks the same language as you?
What features of your language remain and are common among all other languages that developed from this primary source, the "common ancestor?"
Ultimately, does language separate us or does it bring us much closer than we have even considered?
Noam Chomsky wrote:
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
Analyze that question and you will see the world in a much different way.
Now, what will be the thesis of your paper?
Once you have the thesis, I think the "map" has been written for you with each "road" that you must travel upon to arrive at your conclusion convincing your audience of your belief about this very important question. And it is a very important issue.
Remember to write your answer with the evidence as to why you hold that opinion. This evidence must be very clear so that anyone may be able to understand your opinion. Also, what you write will be memorialized. That means that it will remain... sometimes long after you even remember that you have written the words. So write very well. Your words will be speaking for you.
Good luck. And, if you would be so kind, I would like to hear the response of your teacher as I find this changing world to be absolutely fascinating.
Ms. Izzy
