Susanne K. Langer
Response Essay
Communication without words Susanne K. Langer, who was born in New York City in 1985 and went to Radcliffe College. She maintained her interest in Philosophy till the time she dies in 1985. She was teaching at Harvard University, University of Delaware, Columbia University and Connecticut College. She was a writer too and wrote three books. The essay that I am writing about was published in Ms. Magazine, where author tells us how language separates human from the animal kingdom. As being human, we create imagery world from the way we think. In this essay Langer elaborates more between signs and symbols and explain that how they are two different things. One theory is that language evolved from signs, which are used by animals and humans too. We stop at red lights, go on green, if somebody is at the door or phone, we answer them, watch for weather. That way essential difference between animals and humans can be formed. Signs represent another method of communication --- quite different and not nearly as sophisticated as speech. We communicate important information by way of stop signs, warning signs, speed limit signs, etc. and they all have one thing in common, as Langer succinctly states, "A sign is always imbedded in reality" (98). In other words, a sign tells us something right up front, not leaving any room …show more content…
It just happens automatically like the way we breathe. It is a natural effect on our mind and body, and it leaves a symbolic character in our memory. All animals’ life is dominated by feelings and human feelings are mediated by symbols and language. Animals respond to signs, but human stimulus from sign is significally more complex. We can compare between animals and human mentality by physical traits and practical responses such as skills and visual judgements. Animals use signs very much such as dogs obey his master’s command when master tells where to go and what to
Communication without words Susanne K. Langer, who was born in New York City in 1985 and went to Radcliffe College. She maintained her interest in Philosophy till the time she dies in 1985. She was teaching at Harvard University, University of Delaware, Columbia University and Connecticut College. She was a writer too and wrote three books. The essay that I am writing about was published in Ms. Magazine, where author tells us how language separates human from the animal kingdom. As being human, we create imagery world from the way we think. In this essay Langer elaborates more between signs and symbols and explain that how they are two different things. One theory is that language evolved from signs, which are used by animals and humans too. We stop at red lights, go on green, if somebody is at the door or phone, we answer them, watch for weather. That way essential difference between animals and humans can be formed. Signs represent another method of communication --- quite different and not nearly as sophisticated as speech. We communicate important information by way of stop signs, warning signs, speed limit signs, etc. and they all have one thing in common, as Langer succinctly states, "A sign is always imbedded in reality" (98). In other words, a sign tells us something right up front, not leaving any room …show more content…
It just happens automatically like the way we breathe. It is a natural effect on our mind and body, and it leaves a symbolic character in our memory. All animals’ life is dominated by feelings and human feelings are mediated by symbols and language. Animals respond to signs, but human stimulus from sign is significally more complex. We can compare between animals and human mentality by physical traits and practical responses such as skills and visual judgements. Animals use signs very much such as dogs obey his master’s command when master tells where to go and what to