This chapter discusses the way people speak and how they put together sentences. The evolution of language is explained as well. Learning how to speak as children is one topic addressed I find interesting. Beginning with "babbling" noises to learning how to form words is described in this chapter. My niece is in the process of learning how to speak; therefor, I look forward on learning how her brain is going about it. Another fascinating topic mentioned is bilingualism. This topic strikes me particularly because my best friend is from Russia and she switches between English and Russian while speaking to her family all the time. I look forward to learning how the brain can do this. Chapter 8 also addresses the issue of trying to teach nonhuman animals the human language. Imagine if we could communicate with animals in that way. As I child, I had always wished I could converse with my cats, but unfortunately it cannot happen. I also find the topic on speed reading interesting as well. I have always felt as though I am kind of a slow reader. I have tried numerous methods on trying to speed up my reading pace, but then I find comprehending everything I read more difficult. Chapter 8 explains why this is true, which intrigues me seeing I have this problem.
Chapter 8: Language, Thinking, and Reasoning
Language is a very interesting topic that is often taken for granted. I am in the middle of learning spanish and I find it amazing how many people are fluent in more than one language. I am also a slow reader only when I find the things that I am reading very boring.
I actually speak two languages and my friends are always fascinated by how I can change languages and accents when I talk to my family and friends. This blog got me thinking about how I am able to switch between languages!
I became somewhat fluent in another language in the Peace Corps. Sometimes the nuances of words in Bulgarian were just better, so when I would talk to other volunteers, we would just insert those words...Kind if cool! Do you think animals have language?
replied to comment from chamb169
| February 6, 2012 10:56 AM
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I actually do think animals communicate with each other in some way. I watch my cats at home and I can just tell they do.
This chapter on language looks like it is going be very interesting. i also think that animals can communicate with each other in come way. I find it interesting that they are trying to figure out a way to communicate with animals.
I've always wondered with bilingual people when they know in the sentence or story to switch into the other language. The speed reading you touched on seems really interesting as well! Reading certain things I find myself zooming through the text and other readings it's like pulling teeth for me.