Blog 3, A Grandma's Nightmare

‘Communication has allowed us to share our knowledge, experiences, and map our history’ (Kuttainen, 2015)

Language is a fundamental part of human nature. It is the basis of our being, and from it we have created the world we surround ourselves with. According to Tuan in ‘Languages and the Making of Place’, places are made at the core of human geography. Thus, there is more to the making of a place than a material transformation of nature (Tuan, 1991). These places would not exist if not for speech, as they are spoken and written into existence.

An example of a place completely developed from language is the internet. It would not exist without the language in which developers used to create this cyber space, and the array of languages throughout the internet that create senses of place for individuals. A wide range of situations and cultural contexts (Tuan, 1991) can show how language helps formulate a sense of place online.

When speaking of languages used online, one should never forget about the slang that comes with opening up any internet browser. I am referring to words such as ‘tagging’ and ‘browser’. Our minds instantly connect these words to our online lives. Social networking platforms show us how languages help formulate this sense of place online.

Tumblr is often a very ‘negligent’ website, where the use of formal language is often only seen in certain subcultures. The people on this network connect with each other through similar interests, found through ‘tagging’ and ‘following’. It allows you to virtually surround yourself with like-minded individuals, and get involved in a community you enjoy and can relate to.

There are countless subcultures and ‘fandoms’ on Tumblr that ‘speak their own language’. When saying this, I refer to it in the same context as your grandma would use it when you are trying to explain to her how to send an email. For your grandma, these words are not common tongue for her, so even though she may speak English, her knowledge in this sub-genre of the language is lacking. This is the same in referral to the place one may create on Tumblr. They surround themselves with the ‘language’ and ‘slang’ in which they know. It becomes clear that language is an essential component in the development of place not only geographically, but virtually also. Language is the basis of imaginative creation.

References:

Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place, Lecture 5: Stories and Place. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au.

Tuan, Y. (1991). Language and the Making of Place: A Narrative-Descriptive Approach. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Vol. 81. (No. 4.), pp 684-696. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/256343.

Image Reference:

Ganja Goddess. (2015) Stoner’s Pot Palace [Image]. Retrieved from: http://ganja-goddess-blog.tumblr.com/post/117287891544