Peri
Established Member
This is a serious question - I really hope no-one finds it offensive.
Yesterday, I was chatting to a small group of young adult students about languages. One of the lads was a Polish guy who speaks excellent English.
I said "When I started to learn French many, many years ago, my teacher told me that I'd know when I mastered the language because I'd 'think' in French"
I asked the Polish lad if he 'thought' in English, or did he translate in his head? He said that about 90% of his thinking was in English now, but some phrases and concepts just didn't have easy English alternatives.
At which point one of my quieter kids came up with "I've always wondered, if a person is deaf from birth, do they 'think in sign language?' "
It's a question I couldn't even begin to answer.
I don't think it's sign language, but it did get me wondering. Without ever hearing the sounds it must be very difficult to have an 'internal monologue' that I'd recognize - but I know many people born deaf have no trouble reading............. I really have no idea.
I told the student I'd try and find an answer, so I wondered if anyone could help shed some light?
Thanks folks
Yesterday, I was chatting to a small group of young adult students about languages. One of the lads was a Polish guy who speaks excellent English.
I said "When I started to learn French many, many years ago, my teacher told me that I'd know when I mastered the language because I'd 'think' in French"
I asked the Polish lad if he 'thought' in English, or did he translate in his head? He said that about 90% of his thinking was in English now, but some phrases and concepts just didn't have easy English alternatives.
At which point one of my quieter kids came up with "I've always wondered, if a person is deaf from birth, do they 'think in sign language?' "
It's a question I couldn't even begin to answer.
I don't think it's sign language, but it did get me wondering. Without ever hearing the sounds it must be very difficult to have an 'internal monologue' that I'd recognize - but I know many people born deaf have no trouble reading............. I really have no idea.
I told the student I'd try and find an answer, so I wondered if anyone could help shed some light?
Thanks folks