Response to Perri Klass

In "Learning the Language" Klass describes her discourse community in the medical world and how she uses jargon and abbreviations. Without the two characters of her mother and Mr. Eponym it would be hard to understand the story. It depends on the reader who they can identify with and for me as the reader i could identify with her mother. When her mother said "You'll have to tell me what an NG tube is if you want me to sympathize properly." I think using the two charcters really gives an understanding of how a discourse community can effect a person and how it is so easy for those who understand it. If you are farmilar with the topic it will be quick and easy when speaking and writing out the terms. but for an everyday person whos profession isnt in the medical field it will be a little bit more complicated. If you are learing to be in the medical field this would be helpful to you but the reader can understand where the mother "outsider" is coming from.