Introduction: Who is Caitlyn?
Picture on the left: This is me at the OKC Zoo. As you can tell, I'm a super serious person.
Hello world! My name is Caitlyn and I like to think that I’m a fairly interesting person. I am studying linguistics with a minor in Spanish. If you are unfamiliar with linguistics, that’s totally fine. Most people I encounter outside of my major don’t really know what it is either. Linguistics is a sub-field of anthropology that focuses on language. I really like the more technical aspects of my major. For example, I really love phonetics, a sub-field of linguistics. This field focuses on the sounds of languages and how they are produced. My favorite class from last semester was my syntax class. This class was one for my major and it focused on grammar in language. We started out by making grammar rules for English and then built upon them. By the end of the semester, our grammar rules could theoretically work for any human language. I think that is really cool and exciting, but I realize I am in the minority there. I can go on for hours talking about linguistics, but I will leave it there. If you want to know more about linguistics, feel free to comment asking any question you have.
Hello world! My name is Caitlyn and I like to think that I’m a fairly interesting person. I am studying linguistics with a minor in Spanish. If you are unfamiliar with linguistics, that’s totally fine. Most people I encounter outside of my major don’t really know what it is either. Linguistics is a sub-field of anthropology that focuses on language. I really like the more technical aspects of my major. For example, I really love phonetics, a sub-field of linguistics. This field focuses on the sounds of languages and how they are produced. My favorite class from last semester was my syntax class. This class was one for my major and it focused on grammar in language. We started out by making grammar rules for English and then built upon them. By the end of the semester, our grammar rules could theoretically work for any human language. I think that is really cool and exciting, but I realize I am in the minority there. I can go on for hours talking about linguistics, but I will leave it there. If you want to know more about linguistics, feel free to comment asking any question you have.
Over winter break I took an intercession course titled
Experiencing Music that took care of my artistic forms credit. If you still need a class to satisfy this
general education requirement, I highly recommend this one. It was really light on the work load in and
out of class, but it was also very interesting and fun. We learned about some folk dances, different
parts of music, and different instruments.
Because it was in the intercession, we didn’t have to attend a
concert. Instead, our professor brought
in solo performers every couple of days that would introduce us to a new
instrument. The rest of my break I split
between Tulsa with my family and Norman with my friends.
Picture above: This is my dog Maggie. She is the greatest, don't try to argue otherwise
Oh, linguistics: how great, Caitlyn! That is one of my favorite programs at OU, and I'm very interested in linguistics myself. Do you have a class with Marcia Haag this semester? Please tell her hello from me!
ReplyDeleteHave you come across Vladimir Propp in your studies? His morphology of the folktale is an attempt to come up with something that you might call a syntax of fairy tales, a structural approach to the elements that make fairy tales what they are. There's a Wikipedia article you might enjoy about his monumental project: Wikipedia: Vladimir Propp
And of course folk music is a wonderful intersection with the world of mythology and folklore: maybe you will want to do a project about ballads or some other folk music genre!
And thank you for sharing that picture of your Maggie: what a cutie! There are some great myths and legends about dogs from places all over the world of course; wherever people have gone, dogs have come with us!
Hey Caitlyn!
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting that you are studying linguistics. Currently I am studying Russian language and I just started my Russian Phonetics class. Honestly, its probably the hardest Russian class I have taken. It is so hard for me to learn the phonetical transcriptions! Also, I don't even remember learning phonetics in English.. but its great that you are good at it, I believe that is a gift!
Also, Maggie is super cute! I have five dogs myself and I adore them!
Oh that sounds like a super interesting, but challenging course! Send me a message on canvas if you ever want me to see if I can help you with anything in it! I know people in my major that are also studying Russian and will be able to help.
DeleteHi Caitlyn! Learning about linguistics sounds really fun! I knew what the study of linguistics was, but never knew what types of classes are required for that major, so your description was very interesting. I am also a Spanish minor, so that's kinda cool :) ahhhh, I LOVE Harry Potter! Although I have not listened to the audio books, I have read the entire series and watched the movies way too many times. Also, your dog Maggie is super cute! Good luck with the rest of the semester!!!
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you really enjoy linguistics! I always find it refreshing to find people that are legitimately interested in their field of study... it seems lately that a lot of people are more interested in doing something they think will make them money instead of something they'll enjoy. I also know a lot of linguistics majors... you all seem to share a similar passion for your work!
Hey there Caitlyn! Linguistics sounds like an interesting field to go in to, I hope you enjoy all the experiences that come with it. That Experiencing Music class sounds like it was really fun and I'm going to have to see if I would be able to work it into my schedule anywhere. I wish you luck with the rest of this class and I hope you have fun while you do it!
ReplyDeleteLinguistics sounds really cool, although I'm afraid I've never taken quite enough interest to really study it myself. The way that your syntax class made grammar rules that could theoretically work for any language sounds really cool, though! Would it work in the sense that it fits all different rules of grammar, or simply that any language could be adapted to work with the grammar rules?
ReplyDeleteFantasy and science fiction are my favorite genres as well; the varied worlds that authors come up with are really incredible!
Hi Caitlyn! I think its awesome you are studying linguistics! I took an anthropology class and found the linguistics portion to be really interesting, I think it is something that can tie us together as a people. I could see how a class like this would be really interesting to be able to see names and stories from different cultures. I am liking it so far, anyways. Cannot wait to read some of your stories!
ReplyDeleteHey Caitlyn! nice to meet you! I think its amazing that you are studying linguistics. Learning other languages is always difficult. I am glad that you found a passion in that and i wish the best of luck to you. Keep up the good work and i will be looking forward to read your stories.
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlyn! It's nice to meet another Tulsan in this class! Also, Ender's Game is one of my all time favorite books! I read it back in 8th grade but I still find it a great work of science fiction (my favorite genre). Linguistics definitely sounds like an interesting major and I am also minoring in Spanish. Having an appreciation for languages is something we lack in our society and its awesome you find them so interesting! Looking forward to reading your stories!
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn,
ReplyDeleteIt’s so cool that you are a linguistics major! I was a linguistics major for a year or so, but I ended up switching. I am still very interested in everything linguistics, however. I agree that looking at different language rules and syntax are truly very interesting and fun. You dog Maggie is precious! What kind of dog is she? She almost looks like a little fox in that picture. I am in the same position as you with my love of reading but not having any time, maybe I should give audio books a try! Your music choices are great, and I like how they maybe aren’t things you would expect to go together.
I hope you have a great semester, and I look forward to reading some of your stuff!
Hi Caitlyn!
ReplyDeleteI think that it is really cool that you are a linguistics major. I recently just finished the series on Netflix about the Unabomber, and linguistics is what helped catch him. So I can only imagine the information and art that lies within your major. Also, your pup is very cute! I love that you have a passion for your major and enjoy what you are learning. Are you wanting to do anything specific with your minor?
I look forward to reading other posts!
Howdy Caitlyn! I think I've yet to hear about someone in Linguistics that doesn't absolutely love it. Nothing that I've ever gotten into, but it must be a great department from the rave reviews I've heard. I love Ender's Game, it was definitely one of my favorites growing up. I reread it a couple years ago and it absolutely held up to the memories. How did you like the movie?
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn.
ReplyDeleteYour major sounds really interesting! I've never met anyone with that major before but it sounds like it would very neat. What does a career in linguistics look like?
I'm from Owasso, so I spend a lot of time going back and forth between the Tulsa area and Norman myself. I also love the Princess Bride and always get excited when I see that it's on TV. I hope your semester is going great!
Hi Caitlyn! I have also taken Experiencing Music. I did it during a full semester, so can you imagine? It was pretty fun, but it was those dances times three. Anyways, I am also pretty fond of audio books. I've read the Harry Potter books a million times, but never listened to them. I might have to do that for a new experience!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlyn! I think it is awesome that you are studying linguistics with a minor in Spanish. I was always interested in languages as a kid and wanted to speak them all. However, I was a lazy kid and I didn’t end up learning any language. Your dog Maggie looks so nice and cuddly. Have you read the other books in the Ender series? They have a different tone but I liked them as much as I did Ender’s Game.
Hey Caitlyn! I'm impressed that you're a spanish minor. I took spanish 1-3 and enjoyed it, but didn't keep going from there. I don't know much about linguistics, but it sounds very interesting since it concerns languages. Your dog is so cute! I haven't really listened to audio books like you, maybe i should give it a try. good luck with the rest of the year!
ReplyDeleteHey Caitlyn! It's so interesting that you are a linguistics major because that is fairly uncommon. To me, it is almost like studying English, except for analyzing how people write, you are analyzing the actual language which can easily get passed over sometimes! I commend you for doing something different and something that really interests you! I also took Experiencing Music and thought it was so fun! Good luck with the rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlyn! Linguistics sounds like a really interesting major. Most of what I know about linguistics comes from the movie Arrival, and since that has aliens showing up on Earth, I don't know how accurate it is. Your dog is really cute. Also, The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies.
ReplyDeleteHey Caitlyn,
ReplyDeleteThat major sounds very interesting! I have a feeling I would not be cut-out being in the major, but I really like hearing about what people do in their specific majors, especially uncommon ones like that. That’s a good picture there at the OKC Zoo, I have a picture with that exact statue saved somewhere! I hope the rest of your semester goes well!
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlyn! It is so nice to meet you. I love the pictures on your blog! What kind of dog is Maggie? I am just curious because Maggie looks a lot like my dog, Dora. She is a corgi-dachshund mix and is the same coloring as your Maggie. Thanks for sharing those pics, and I really enjoyed getting to learn a little about you!
Hi, Caitlyn!
ReplyDeleteYour major sounds very interesting, but I suspect that you are correct when you say that it's not for everyone!
I can completely relate to wishing for more time to read for pleasure; that's seriously lacking for me in college. I have thought about trying out audiobooks as a way to get back into literature. Other than Harry Potter, do you have any suggestions?
Hey Caitlyn. I hope you are doing well. I like the picture you chose for your blog. I believe that might be the Oklahoma City Zoo. Yes, I just read that in small print. I am a "super serious person" also. I have my associates in Spanish. It is one of my four associate degrees. Thank you for sharing with us. It was fun reading about you.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I want your dog.