Folk-Linguistics, Fringe Linguistics and Real Linguistics: Bringing Skeptically-minded Linguistics and Critical Language Studies into the High School Classroom
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- Written by Mark Newbrook
- Category: Swift
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Here I will consider approaches in an educational context to popular ideas about language that don’t really make sense, to less well-known ideas that definitely don’t, and to the ideas of ‘real’ linguists, which (we hope!) might!
Linguistics, which began in its modern form around 220 years ago, is the ‘scientific’ study of language: the concerted empirically-based attempt to understand how languages and the general phenomenon of human language work. It includes the study of language change in history (the oldest aspect and still, for many non-linguists, the least unfamiliar) and, since the early twentieth century, the study of how languages are structured and convey meaning at any given stage in their history. Linguistics is connected with the philosophy of language, and its more specific branches such as sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics are connected with sociology, psychology, etc. It is also of major use in the learning of languages, by way of providing a general understanding of language and a framework within which languages (students’ own first languages and other languages which they are learning) can be fruitfully compared in many respects.
Video: "Why Skepticism Matters" at Dragon*Con 2012
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- Written by JREF Staff
- Category: Latest JREF News
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This Week In Doubtful News
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- Written by Sharon Hill
- Category: Swift
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This week had many tales of the dangers of alternative medicine. First, the U.K.'s new health minister is partial to homeopathy. What might this mean for an industry that is currently on the ropes?
Meanwhile, broadcasters in Norway are questioning alternative medicine.
Last week we told you about dangerous ingredients found in Ayurvedic meds for pregnancy symptoms. This week it was revealed that 8 people are ill from lead poisoning likely due to an Ayurvedic acne treatment.
Last Week At Science-Based Medicine
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- Written by Dr. Harriet Hall
- Category: Swift
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Here is a recap of the stories that appeared last week at Science-Based Medicine, a multi-author skeptical blog that separates the science from the woo in medicine.
Alternative medicine use and breast cancer (2012 update) (David Gorski) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/alternative-medicine-use-and-breast-cancer-2012-update/ New studies add to the growing body of evidence that (1) “conventional” science-based care works for breast cancer and (2) eschewing conventional care can have disastrous consequences. Choosing CAM over conventional therapy not only increases the risk of dying from breast cancer, but it increases the chance of dying horribly.
San Antonio’s “Haunted” Railroad Tracks
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- Written by Dr. Karen Stollznow
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According to legend, a tragic event occurred in San Antonio during the 1930s (or 1940s). A school bus drove across an intersection of roadway crossed by railroad tracks, and then stalled. A train soon appeared, speeding along the tracks. The train driver saw the bus across the tracks, but it was already too late. The train collided with the bus, instantly killing the driver and his ten tiny passengers. To this day, the ghost children allegedly haunt the site to protect others from a similar fate. It is believed that if a car stalls or stops on the tracks, the ghosts of the little children will push the vehicle to safety, their tiny handprints appearing across the rear of the car.
Accompanied by paranormal claims investigator Matthew Baxter, I paid a visit to San Antonio, Texas. The infamous “haunted” railroad tracks are located on Shane Road, just south of San Antonio, near San Juan Mission. The area is littered with crucifixes, roses, rosary beads, and children’s toys left scattered around as gifts for the “ghost children”. Graffiti on the tracks wish that the children rest in peace.
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