Re: Spanish & Portuguese

From: Gerry Reinhart-Waller
Message: 858
Date: 2000-01-11

Alexander Stolbov wrote:
>
> > [Gerry]:
> > > Then Alexander, do you think these young babies have a template in their
> head
> > which maps out the syntax of their language?
> > > I'm beginning to think they might.
> >
> > Alexander: I think it could be so. We know that language plays an
> > important role in the thinking process, and in emergence of
> > associations.
> > We can suppose that such a "template" is created during the recognition
> > (learning) of the native language in form of a special neuron
> > constellations pattern, by analogy with the complex conditioned reflexes
> > forming or the establishment of not-inborn dynamical stereotypes like
> > ability to use a fork (chopsticks) or to play a piano. The syntax is an
> > organic part of the speach, so it should be imprinted as strongly as
> > basic lexicon, I think.
> > Every next learnt language can produce its own neuron associative
> > connections but the virginity (of the brain) is already lost ...
> >
> > Gerry: Hi Alexander. QUESTION: When do you think this template is
> > created?
>
> A neurologist should be asked (I'm just a specialist in physiology of blood,
> sorry). I can guess that such a template (or at least its basis) is to be formed
> by the term, when a baby starts to speak, i.e. about 2 years age.
> The cruel experiments of the nature (when children are brought up by animals)
> show that if kids are not taught to speak by the age of several years (can't say
> more precise now) they will not speak ever. The central nervous system is open
> for different kinds of "programming" during certain time intervals, then it
> becomes "stiff". If a function is not formed by the proper time it will not be
> realized in the full volume.
>
> Alexander
>
Gerry here:
If the template began to appear when the child began speaking, then a
child speaking his native tongue should have the same facility in
learning a given language as a non-native speaker. This is not the case.
Thus I think this template had to appear in the child's head before
he/she began to speak. Why do you think otherwise?
Gerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> FREE ADVICE FROM REAL PEOPLE! XpertSite is the biggest directory
> of Experts on the Web. For a REAL PERSON who will be happy to answer your questions!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/472/0/_/2431/_/947599206/
>
> -- Create a poll/survey for your group!
> -- http://www.egroups.com/vote?listname=cybalist&m=1

--








































Gerald Reinhart
Independent Scholar
(650) 321-7378
waluk@...
http://www.alekseevmanuscript.com