February 16, 2025 - Reading Lesson 1

Reading Lesson 1: What is a language?

A language is a system of communication that uses symbols such as sounds, words, or gestures to convey meaning between individuals or groups. These symbols follow specific rules (grammar, syntax, etc.) that govern how they are structured and combined to form messages. Language can be spoken, written, or signed (in the case of sign languages), and allows people to express ideas, emotions, thoughts, and information. 

Here are some examples of polite language:

1. Please – Used to make requests more respectful.

"Could you please pass the salt?"

2. Thank you – Expresses gratitude.

"Thank you for your help!"

3. You're welcome – A polite response when someone thanks you.

"You're welcome! I'm happy to help."

4. Excuse me – Used to get someone's attention or apologize for interrupting.

"Excuse me, could you please help me with this?"

5. Sorry – Used to apologize for something.

"Sorry for being late."

6. Would you mind...? – A polite way to ask for something.

"Would you mind opening the window?"

7. I would appreciate it if... – A polite way to make a request.

"I would appreciate it if you could send me the report by tomorrow."

8. May I...? – A polite way to ask permission.

"May I borrow your book?"

9. Could you...? – A polite way to ask for help or request something.

"Could you tell me the time?"

10. I’m sorry to bother you, but... – Used when asking for help or information, showing respect for the person's time.

"I’m sorry to bother you, but could you help me with this task?"

11. It's my pleasure – A polite response when someone thanks you.

"Thank you for the gift!" – "It's my pleasure."

12. I hope you don't mind... – A polite way to ask for something while being considerate.

"I hope you don't mind, but I need to leave early today."

Emotional language is used to express feelings, whether they are positive, negative, or somewhere in between.

Here are some examples of emotional language:

Positive Emotional Language:

1. Excited – "I’m so excited to see you!"

2. Grateful – "I’m really grateful for your kindness."

3. Happy – "That was the happiest day of my life!"

4. Proud – "I feel so proud of my team for their hard work."

5. Delighted – "I was delighted to hear the good news!"

6. Relieved – "I feel so relieved now that the test is over."

7. Hopeful – "I’m hopeful that things will get better soon."

8. Inspired – "Her speech was so inspiring!"

9. Joyful – "I’m truly joyful to be surrounded by friends and family."

10. Content – "I feel completely content with my life right now.

"Negative Emotional Language:

1. Sad – "I’m feeling really sad today."

2. Frustrated – "I’m so frustrated that things aren’t working out."

3. Angry – "I’m angry that I wasn’t given a fair chance."

4. Disappointed – "I’m really disappointed that we didn’t win."

5. Heartbroken – "I was heartbroken when I heard the news."

6. Lonely – "I’ve been feeling so lonely lately."

7. Anxious – "I’m anxious about the upcoming presentation."

8. Guilty – "I feel guilty for not helping out sooner."

9. Hopeless – "I feel hopeless about the situation."

10. Embarrassed – "I was so embarrassed when I made that mistake in front of everyone."

Mixed Emotional Language:

1. Confused – "I’m confused about what happened."

2. Surprised – "I was so surprised by the news!"

3. Worried – "I’m worried about how this will turn out."

4. Excited but Nervous – "I’m excited about the trip, but I’m also a little nervous."

5. Grateful but Sad – "I’m so grateful for everything, but I still feel sad that it's over."

4. Accusatory language is used when someone points fingers or blames another person for something, often with a sense of judgment or criticism.

Here are some examples of accusatory language:

1. "You never listen to me!"

2. "You always forget to do your part."

3. "I can't believe you lied about that."

4. "You're the reason this went wrong."

5. "How could you be so careless?"

6. "You deliberately ignored my advice."

7. "You’ve been hiding the truth from me."

8. "It’s your fault everything turned out like this."

9. "I knew you were going to mess it up."

10. "You always blame others instead of taking responsibility."

11. "Why did you take my things without asking?"

12. "You made me feel unimportant."

13. "You are the one who caused all this trouble."

14. "You said you’d help, but you didn’t do anything!"

15. "I know you’ve been avoiding me on purpose."

These statements suggest blame or point to someone as the cause of a problem or negative outcome. Accusatory language can escalate conflict if not handled carefully, as it often implies fault or guilt without offering a chance for discussion or understanding.

Encouraging language is used to inspire, motivate, and uplift others. It helps build confidence, positivity, and support.

Here are some examples of encouraging language:

1. "You can do it!"

2. "I believe in you."

3. "Keep up the great work!"

4. "You're getting better every day!"

5. "Don’t give up, you're almost there!"

6. "Your effort is really paying off!"

7. "I’m so proud of how far you’ve come!"

8. "Keep going, you're doing amazing!"

9. "Great job! You're on the right track."

10. "I know you can achieve anything you set your mind to."

11. "You’re capable of more than you think."

12. "It’s okay to make mistakes; that’s how we learn!"

13. "You're stronger than you know."

14. "I’m here for you, keep going!"

15. "Take your time—you're doing just fine."

16. "Every step you take is progress."

17. "You’ve got this!"

18. "I'm inspired by your hard work and determination."

19. "Don’t be afraid to try; you have what it takes."

20. "You’re not alone, and I know you’ll succeed."

Encouraging language helps others feel supported, boosting their confidence and motivating them to continue working toward their goalsDiscouraging language can have a negative impact, often making others feel unmotivated, insecure, or doubtful about their abilities.

Here are some examples of discouraging language:

1. "You’ll never be able to do it."

2. "I told you this would be too hard for you."

3. "What’s the point? You’re not good enough."

4. "You always mess things up."

5. "Why bother trying? It’s never going to work."

6. "I knew you couldn’t do it."

7. "That’s a waste of time."

8. "You’re just not cut out for this."

9. "It’s too difficult for someone like you."

10. "You’re always going to fail."

11. "I don’t think you’ll ever get better at this."

12. "Why do you keep trying when you know it’s not going to

work?"

13. "You’ll never be as good as them."

14. "That’s a terrible idea."

15. "You’ll never make it; just give up now."

16. "I don’t know why you keep trying, you’ll never succeed."

17. "I told you, you're not ready for this."

18. "Don’t get your hopes up, you’re going to be disappointed."

19. "You should just quit while you’re ahead."

20. "You’re just wasting your time."

These statements often diminish a person's confidence, making them feel like they aren’t capable of achieving their goals. Discouraging language can have a long-term negative impact, so it's important to be mindful of how we speak to others.

Kind language is warm, caring, and considerate, used to show empathy, respect, and understanding.

Here are some examples of kind language:

1. "Thank you so much for your help!"

2. "I really appreciate everything you've done."

3. "You did a wonderful job today!"

4. "It’s okay, we all make mistakes. Let’s try again."

5. "You’re doing great, keep it up!"

6. "I’m so proud of you for trying your best."

7. "I’m here for you if you need anything."

8. "You always know how to make me smile."

9. "I believe in you, you’ve got this!"

10. "It means a lot to me that you took the time to help."

11. "You’re such a kind and thoughtful person."

12. "Take your time, there’s no rush."

13. "I’m really glad to have you as a friend."

14. "Your effort is really appreciated."

15. "Don’t worry, everything will be okay."

16. "It’s nice to see you doing so well."

17. "I’m so grateful for your support."

18. "You’ve made a real difference, thank you."

19. "I’m happy to help in any way I can."

20. "You’re such a positive influence on everyone around you."

Kind language helps to foster a supportive and positive environment, encouraging goodwill and strengthening relationships.

Harsh language is direct, critical, and often hurtful. It can express frustration, anger, or judgment in a way that may harm relationships or make others feel bad.

Here are some examples of harsh language:

1. "You never do anything right."

2. "Why are you so stupid?"

3. "I can’t believe how useless you are."

4. "You always mess things up."

5. "You’re a failure."

6. "I don’t care about your excuses."

7. "You’ll never be good enough."

8. "I’m tired of dealing with you."

9. "You’re worthless."

10. "Why can’t you just do it right for once?"

11. "I wish you weren’t so lazy."

12. "You never learn from your mistakes."

13. "What’s wrong with you? Can’t you think?"

14. "You don’t deserve any respect."

15. "Nobody cares about your opinion."

16. "You always get in the way."

17. "I don’t want to hear it, just stop talking."

18. "You’re always so annoying."

19. "I’m done with you."

20. "You’re completely useless in this situation."

Harsh language can be damaging to self-esteem and create conflict. It’s important to be aware of how words can affect others and try to use language that is more constructive, even in difficult situations.

Rude language is disrespectful and can hurt or offend others. It often shows a lack of consideration for people's feelings. Here are some examples of rude language:

1."Shut up."

2."I don’t care what you think."

3."You’re such an idiot."

4."Who asked you?"

5."Mind your own business."

6."I don’t have time for you."

7."Get lost."

8."Don’t bother me."

9."What’s your problem?"

10. "You’re so annoying."

11. "That’s none of your concern."

12. "Who do you think you are?"

13. "Nobody cares about your opinion."

14. "Why are you always so stupid?"

15. "Stop talking, you’re just wasting air."

16. "Go away, I don’t want to talk to you."

17. "You’re always in the way."

18. "No one asked for your advice."

19. "You don’t know anything."

20. "You’re a waste of space."

Rude language can damage relationships and create unnecessary conflict. It’s important to communicate respectfully, even when you're upset, in order to maintain positive interactions with others.

Patient language is calm, understanding, and tolerant. It is used to show empathy and allow space for others to learn or process without judgment or frustration. Here are some examples of patient language:

1. "Take your time, I’m not in a rush."

2. "I understand that you're having a hard time, and that's okay."

3. "No worries, we can try again."

4. "I’m here if you need help, just let me know."

5. "I know this is difficult, but you’re doing your best."

6. "It’s alright, mistakes happen. We’ll figure it out together."

7. "I can wait. There’s no pressure."

8. "Let me know if you need more time to think about it."

9. "I appreciate your effort, keep going."

10. "It's okay if you're not ready yet, take it one step at a time."

11. "I can see you're trying, and that's what matters."

12. "You don’t need to rush. We’ll go at your pace."

13. "I know you’re doing your best, and that’s enough."

14. "I’m here for you, take all the time you need."

15. "We’ll get through this, just take it slow."

16. "I understand this might be frustrating, but you’re making progress."

17. "Feel free to ask if you need help. There’s no pressure."

18. "I believe in you, and I’m confident you’ll get it soon."

19. "Take it easy; there’s no need to rush."

20. "It’s okay to ask questions. I’m happy to help."

Patient language helps create a supportive environment and encourages others to feel comfortable without fear of being rushed or judged. It shows that you value the other person’s pace and well-being.

Constructive language is positive, helpful, and aimed at building others up. It encourages growth, improvement, and problem solving.

Here are some examples of constructive language:

1. "I think you're on the right track, just keep going!"

2. "It’s okay to make mistakes; let’s learn from this together."

3. "I can see you’re putting in a lot of effort, and that’s what matters."

4. "How can I help you improve this?"

5. "Let’s try a different approach to see if it works better."

6. "You’ve made great progress; let’s build on that."

7. "I appreciate your hard work. You’re getting closer to your goal."

8. "You’ve learned so much already, keep up the good work!"

9. "Don’t be discouraged; every step forward is progress."

10. "I believe in your ability to get through this."

11. "What do you think we can do differently next time?"

12. "I know this is challenging, but I’m confident you can handle it."

13. "You’re learning and improving every day."

14. "Let’s take a moment to figure out a solution together."

15. "I’m proud of how much effort you’re putting into this."

16. "You have the skills to make this work, just keep practicing."

17. "It’s okay if things don’t go perfectly, we can always try again."

18. "Let’s break this down step by step to make it easier."

19. "I love how persistent you are. That’s the key to success!"

20. "Keep it up, you’re doing better than you think!"

Constructive language focuses on encouragement, problem solving, and supporting improvement, creating an environment where individuals feel motivated and empowered to keep learning and growing.

What is the relationship between language and behavior or character?

Ellen G. White, a prominent figure in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, often spoke about the relationship between language and behavior in her writings. While she may not have used the modern term "language behavior" in a formal sense, her teachings highlight several key ideas that relate to the connection between how we speak and how we act.

Here are some key points based on her writings:

1. Words Reflect Character: Ellen G. White emphasized that the way we speak is a reflection of our character. She believed that words are a powerful tool that can either build up or tear down, and that our language reveals what is in our hearts. In her writings, she often warned that careless or harsh words can hurt others and damage relationships. 

Conversely, kind and uplifting words reflect a Christ-like character.

For example, in her book The Ministry of Healing, she writes: “Words are the only means of communication between man and man; and the character of the speaker is shown in his words.”

2. Influence of Language on Behavior: Ellen G. White believed that language had a powerful influence on behavior. She taught that if we speak kindly and positively, it can help cultivate good behavior in ourselves and others.

On the other hand, negative or hurtful language could lead to destructive behaviors. The choice of words, in her view, shapes how we act and interact with the world.

3. Language as a Reflection of Moral Health: According to Ellen G. White, moral health and character are revealed through language. She encouraged people to develop self-control and purity in their speech, noting that this would lead to better behavior overall. She saw language as an essential part of personal development and spiritual growth.

4. The Role of Speech in Relationships: In her writings, Ellen G. White often pointed out the importance of positive language in maintaining healthy relationships. She believed that speaking with love, patience, and kindness promotes harmony and helps avoid misunderstandings and conflict.

This emphasis on the role of language in relationships highlights the connection between how we communicate and how we behave in our interactions with others.

5. Reinforcing Christian Values: For Ellen G. White, the way we speak should reflect Christian values. She encouraged believers to speak in a way that represents the love and grace of Christ, thus influencing their behavior to align with their faith. This connection between language and behavior was seen as crucial in developing a Christ-centered character.

In summary, according to Ellen G. White, language and behavior are deeply interconnected. The words we choose reflect our character and influence how we act. Positive, kind, and uplifting language promotes good behavior, while negative or careless speech can lead to harm and reflect poorly on our moral and spiritual health.

Example Summary 1

The Relationship Between Language and Behavior or Character

Ellen G. White emphasized a profound connection between language and behavior, viewing speech as a reflection of one’s inner character. She believed that words are not merely tools for communication but powerful indicators of moral and spiritual health. In her writings, she stressed that the language we use reveals the condition of our hearts and minds. Positive, uplifting speech, rooted in love, kindness, and humility, leads to behaviors that reflect Christ-like character, fostering harmony and building healthy relationships.

Conversely, harsh, careless, or negative language was seen as a sign of spiritual deficiency, capable of influencing destructive behaviors and creating division. White viewed language as a tool for personal growth and spiritual development, advocating for the cultivation of self-control and purity in speech as essential to moral transformation. By controlling and refining our language, she believed, we could align our behavior with higher Christian values, ultimately shaping our actions and character in accordance with God’s teachings. Thus, for Ellen G. White, language and behavior are inseparable, with speech both reflecting and shaping the ethical quality of one’s life.

Example Summary 2

The Relationship Between Language and Behavior or Character

According to Ellen G. White, language and behavior are closely linked. She believed that the words we use reflect our character and have a powerful influence on our actions. Speaking kindly and positively promotes good behavior, while harsh or negative language can lead to harmful actions. Ellen G. White taught that our language should reflect Christ-like qualities such as love, kindness, and patience, which help build strong, positive relationships with others.

Overall, she emphasized that language shapes behavior, and by controlling our speech, we can develop better character and live according to Christian values.

Example Summary 3

The Relationship Between Language and Behavior or Character

According to Ellen G. White, language and behavior are closely connected. She believed that the words we speak show what is in our hearts and reflect our character. If we use kind, loving words, our behavior will also be kind and respectful. On the other hand, harsh or negative language can lead to harmful actions and bad relationships. Ellen G. White taught that the way we speak should be like Christ—gentle, patient, and loving—which helps us act in a good, moral way. In short, our language shapes our behavior, and by speaking wisely, we can improve our actions and relationships.

Reading Homework 1

1. Read this lesson aloud several times to improve your pronunciation, speaking, language expression, and grammar!

2. Summarize the relationship between language and behavior or character by Ellen G. White. Please refer to pages 13, and 14 of this file. You can also reread the 3 sample summaries as a guide for writing your own. The summary will be typewritten!

3. The due date of homework submission is on Thursday, 20th of February, 2025

Please follow this filename format!

ReadingHw01_Noemi

Name:

Date submitted:

Reading Homework 1

Summary of the Relationship Between Language and Behavior