Take time to think carefully and share your thoughts about the following questions in a short essay. The essay should be double-spaced, typed and at least one page. Be prepared to share what you write with your classmates in class.

• Why is language so important for human society? Can we have communication without language? Is speaking the only kind of communication humans have?

• What do you want to learn about "language" this semester? Please be specific.

I am mostly interested in your ideas. Do NOT spend much time on the organization of the essay - just write out your ideas. It should be as clear as possible, but I don't expect that it will be perfectly organized or have perfect grammar. Concentrate on thinking carefully about the questions and proposing some interesting ideas of your own.