Language, they say, is an instinct instead of a learned skill. And there’s a whole book on it if you’re interested: "The Language Instinct" by Stephen Pinker. I listened to its audiobook last night and it kept me awake for several hours.
"As you are reading these words, you are taking part in one of the wonders of the natural world. For you and I belong to a species with a remarkable ability: we can shape events in each other's brains with exquisite precision. I am not referring to telepathy or mind control or the other obsessions of fringe science; even in the depictions of believers these are blunt instruments compared to an ability that is uncontroversially present in every one of us. That ability is language. Simply by making noises with our mouths, we can reliably cause precise new combinations of ideas to arise in each other’s minds. The ability comes so naturally that we are apt to forget what a miracle it is."
I replayed it again and again. Insomnia well spent! This morning I shall continue reading the book on the sunny verandah. Unfortunately, the book is not available online except for the above 95 pages, so you may have to get your own copy on ebay. Or listen to the man himself here:
What a great way to spend a Sunday!
