Just because

[brenk]

Found this URL on a languages forum, and it's *interesting* - not just for linguists, I think, but writers and others interested in 'how language works' too. It's a short article about... well... just read it :)

And yes, I am always going to be a language bore :)

Comments

Bore? Who called you a bore?

[daphnis]

Isn't language, the ability to verbalise (or hand-sign), that which differentiates us from other primates?

Perhaps those humans with musical and/or mathematical abilities will also be found to have this third area closely linked. After all, music and math are 'languages', too, aren't they? And art and dance and embroidery and gardening....... :-)

[brenk]

Yes indeedy. And the whole passive / active thing is fascinating, as the words on recognises and those ones USES - it applies to ferrin languages as much as any other form of communication, and this 'third area' linking and co-ordinating the two had to exist.

Hm. And believe me, I can name you *plenty* of people who think of me as a language bore *g*.