This week’s Weekend Assignment revolves around the theme of language. What is considered a language? How many languages are there in the world? What language has the largest alphabet? These are a few questions you could dive into.


Before you briefly become a linguist this weekend let’s explore the previous assignment on community.

In archeology there are two definitions of a community. The first being the informal definition for a place where people used to live, such as a settlement, hamlet, or village. The second meaning defines a community as people living near one another who interact socially.

In Ecology a community is seen as a group of different species interacting with each other, and these interactions could be adversarial or symbiotic. A great example of a symbiotic community would be coral reefs.

Another example would be microbiomes found in the gut. This community of microorganisms work and help with an animal’s digestive systems. That is why eating probiotic foods will help keep your gut bacteria healthy and happy.

Since the rise of the internet and the world wide web the definition of a community has expanded. There are whole communities on the internet that form around common interests and members might never physically meet each other.

A good example of an online community is our very own. We are one big community of learners from all walks of life and located all over the world. So say hello in the comments and let’s get to know each other and maybe even discuss the current Weekend Assignment.


Share what you learn with us on Twitter by tagging us and using #SaylorAssignment or start the conversation on Discourse.