527. An Englishman who calls this colour
“red” is not ‘sure it is called “red” in English’.
A child who mastered the use of the word is
not ‘sure that in his language this colour is called…’. Nor can one say of him
that when he is learning to speak he learns that the colour is called that in
English; nor yet: he knows this when
he has learnt the use of the word.
that he is not sure it is called ‘red’ in
English –
is really just to say he is not sure what this colour is called – in his language
–
which is to say he recognizes that what a
colour is called is an uncertain matter –
it is a question of context and within that
context a question of usage –
and in most cases a question of what is customary –
and of course there is no certainty to any
of this
and yes – if a child has ‘mastered’ – a use
of a word –
then that child recognizes the uncertainty of its usage
‘English’ is a description of language use
–
whether or not you are aware that your
language is called ‘English’ –
is irrelevant to whether you can use it or
not
‘knowing’ that your language is called
‘English’ –
is just about being able to use –
another uncertain
description
© greg t. charlton. 2010.
