Van Der Kar: MLO2

Language and Linguistic Knowledge

This second Major Learning Outcome relates to how I have developed an understanding of the structure of the Spanish language and am able to use an appropriate level of formality according to the situation, be it in writing or in speech. 

Knowledge of the Spanish language and the linguistics related to it are areas of study I’ve been working on ever since my first Spanish class in the fifth grade. My experience here in the World Languages and Cultures department however, has served to drastically increase my rate of knowledge acquisition. Several experiences and courses have proved especially helpful in improving my language and linguistic knowledge.

Through my study abroad experience in Argentina and Chile, I witnessed some of the many forms and figures of the Spanish language. From the more fast-paced and heavily Italian influenced speech of Argentineans with their use of ‘vos’ y ‘sho’ instead of ‘yo’ to the melancholic tone of Chileans with their ample use of slang words. An interesting observation regarding linguistics made during my study abroad experience was that the variations of the Spanish language were much more easily understood in the cities than in the countryside.

Aside from my travels, my knowledge of the language and its linguistics was aided very much by several of the courses I have taken during my time here at CSUMB.

• SPAN 313: Introduction to Linguistics

While many of my courses emphasized literature or culture, this course offered a wonderful, 3-dimensional view of the sounds, styles, and details that make up the Spanish language. Having never focused on the specific motions and use of respiration by the mouth and tongue in order to form sounds, words, and sentences, this class taught me much about the linguistic technicalities of the language. I became familiar with terms and concepts such as phonetics and etymology amongst others. Furthermore, we studied in depth some of the different variations and dialects of the language as can be found in certain geographic regions throughout Central and South America.

• SPAN 301: Composition/Oral Practice

Being one of my first classes here at CSUMB, SPAN 301 really helped to progress my comprehension of compositions and conversations in the Spanish language. Between the works of literature we read in and for the class, the class discussions, and the compositions we wrote ourselves, this course certainly improved my ability to use an appropriate level of formality according to the situation, whether in writing or in speech. As per the professor of this course being a Spaniard well-versed in the history of his culture, I also gained a more profound understanding and appreciation the history of the Spanish language.

• SPAN 301S: Service Learning

To satisfy the service learning requirement, I volunteered about thirty hours of my time at ALBA Organics, an organization which trains people to farm organically and offers land to be rented for use by organic farming. Most of my hours completed at ALBA were in the fields weeding, plowing, or harvesting. My time spent working alongside heritage Spanish speakers through this experience was like a Spanish lecture in its most natural form. Much of the conversation in which I partook was in reference to agriculture in some way. This was a great aspect of the experience in that I became more familiar with a number of agricultural words and phrases which can be applied to my future of working with Spanish speakers in agriculture.

Samples of course work that has helped me achieve MLO #2:

SPAN 313

   >Reflexión del proyecto uno

   >Proyecto dos