Comments on: The Birth of a Language

By: JarvisLoop

JarvisLoop — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 17:51:52 +0000

Vonnegut used a version of this phenomenon in one of his novels.

By: tarteauxpommes

tarteauxpommes — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 01:35:12 +0000

Well, I'm a twin, and we never developed languages. We just know each other well enough that we barely have to talk at all about everyday things.

By: E-hero

E-hero — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:06:31 +0000

I invented a language, it's called "grunts" I bet you've heard it.

By: Starling

Starling — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:59:30 +0000

Damn Interesting, and I applaud you. I've never heard of this before, but it reminds me of the cases where identical (or fraternal, but I'm sure those are less common) twins come up with their own languages, and don't learn English (or Mandarin, or Sanskrit or whatever) until later.

What denki said was really interesting, too- especially the bit with a ball rolling, and how one would rotate the hand faster to indicate speed.

By: Emmy

Emmy — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 07:05:46 +0000

Oh yeah, and the article was good and all that.

By: Emmy

Emmy — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 07:05:26 +0000

just_dave said: "That is pretty incredible.

I wonder though about, "teachers at the schools are careful not to introduce any elements of other sign-language systems; these could possibly contaminate the development of ISN." Wouldn't isolating ISN students from other language elements actually prevent the language from developing naturally? Look at other languages; if there is interaction between speakers of different languages, terms are shared between them, and both are positively affected by such "contamination". There are many terms in other languages that have no equivalent - or inadequate equivalents - in English, but terminology from other languages has found common use among English speakers."

JUST DAVE??? I call myself Not Dave!!! Lol, another coinky-dink for ya!

By: etonalife

etonalife — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:51:36 +0000

DI Marisa! And thanx to Denki for the supplement as well...

Since so much of how people communicate is through facial expressions, I wonder if the kids could've had as rapid a success, or success at all, if they all wore blank stares 24/7.

By: buttered_toast

buttered_toast — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 20:57:00 +0000

Thats pretty intense, I wish I could invent a language...

By: Aaron78

Aaron78 — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 22:56:08 +0000

Reminds me of Bartleby. I would prefer not to.

By: Misfit

Misfit — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:45:22 +0000

Oh that is AWESOME!! WOW!

Kinda makes you wonder if the first cavemen were really the primitive grunters that we have becomed so accustomed to stereotyping. Personally, I don't think so.

AMAZINGLY DI, Brook!