Hi all, I found this discussion interesting: http://www.bogost.com/blog/computers_are_systems_not_lang.shtml
Ian Bogost starts off by arguing that learning a programming language shouldn't meet a curricular requirement for learning a natural language. That's fair enough. However he argues on the basis that computer languages are not languages at all. I don't get his argument, although may well be missing something. I tried commenting on the blog post but it hasn't been approved, so I thought I'd look for answers with the fine members of PPIG. "If we allow computer languages, we should allow recipes. Computer codes are specialized algorithms. So are recipes." This seems to be confusing utterances with languages. Recipes are written in e.g. English. Computer programs are written in e.g. C. "the ability to translate natural languages doesn't really translate (as it were) to computer languages" It clearly does. The point is made in the comments, that you can translate between computer languages, either literally or idiomatically. You cannot easily translate from English to C, because English is full of symbolic reference e.g. to the body and its environment, the nuances of which are difficult to capture with computer modelling. But I contend that it is possible. I also don't see how talking about a computer language as if it were natural language a mixed metaphor, if anything isn't that just plain metaphor? >From the comments: "[programming code is] done IN language, but it ISN'T language" You could say the same of poetry, surely? I really don't understand what is being got at here. Poetry is done in language, but part of the power is to reach beyond language in new directions. Likewise code is done in language, but you can define new languages within it. But then I notice that it's the Cognitive Dimensions of *Notations*, not of languages. I had assumed that was because programming notation includes not only language but other aspects such as secondary notation, colour highlighting, editor features and so on. But am I wrong? Am I missing the basis of a general understanding that computer languages aren't really languages? If so, I am ready to be enlightened :) Best wishes alex p.s. Is the PPIG meeting in Sheffield in April still going ahead? -- http://yaxu.org/ -- The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).
