Ten years from now, I will remember how Prof. Agustín Rayo views linguistics. I really liked how he sees communication as more than just understanding the meaning of words and putting them together in a sentence. Prof. Rayo appreciates the importance of sensitivity to context and common sense when we are trying to communicate. I found his example with the cards very meaningful and shows how we can still communicate without using words.
As a person who often volunteers in organizations supporting immigrants, this part of the interview is very important for my work. Professor Rayo's views of linguistics will impact my future work because I do not always speak the same languages as the people I serve. Prof. Rayo’s way of viewing communication will help me become more aware of the context clues and body language I use when we cannot communicate with words.
That's a really insightful glance into communication. Context and common sense are so important in communication. There is also a lot of non-verbal meaning that is conveyed in conversation, and I wonder what Prof. Rayo has to say about this with regard to meaning creation
This is admiringly reflective! Not only did you make Rayo's point behind contextualizing language clearer, but you connected it to something greater in your work providing much-needed human services.
I wonder how, if at all, prediction and statistical knowledge can be used within language to help people grasp contexts they would otherwise struggle with. Like, will there ever be an AI model that can measure the connotation of a message with its tone and pace? Surely a computer can learn to differentiate between normal language and Japanese sarcasm, or Hausa from its proverbial use--but will it ever be able to hear it on the spot and tell me what it is?