Speaking of Thinking of Speaking.....

[Margot]

.......How language transforms thought and vice versa

When you've "had it" and are about to give up......
If mastering a new language sometimes seems - oh God, just impossibly difficult - read this and then take comfort in the fact that at least you're probably not attempting to learn a tongue such as Guugu Yimithir - which requires geographic rather than egocentric spacial thinking

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/ma...anguage-t.html

[eldeano]

Nice to see you back around, Margot. Hope all is well.

[greytop]

Thanks Margot - an interesting article. I suspect that the diplomatic fraternity have been aware of this effect in their dealings with other cultures.

[Margot]

Originally Posted by eldeano

Nice to see you back around, Margot. Hope all is well.

Miau, gatito precioso y gracias....me alegro de que aún estés merodeando por el foro......

Originally Posted by greytop

Thanks Margot - an interesting article. I suspect that the diplomatic fraternity have been aware of this effect in their dealings with other cultures.

hmmmm......well if so - hope they've advised their Trade Missions: there's no market for navigational GPS devices in certain parts of the world

[Acosta]

With my bad sense of direction I would be in hell with the language of Guugu Yimithirr.

Thanks for the post Margot, nice to see you around.

[Margot]

Originally Posted by Acosta

With my bad sense of direction I would be in hell with the language of Guugu Yimithirr.
Thanks for the post Margot, nice to see you around.

Hola Joe

Best avoid certain parts of Bali, as well
Finding something you've misplaced there could be a real challenge:

Joe: Excuse me, did you hapen to notice where I set my suitcase down?

A: Oh yes sir, it's just northeast of the south facing chair to the east of the ticket counter to the west. You can see it from here

Joe:

[Acosta]

Originally Posted by Margot

Hola Joe

Best avoid certain parts of Bali, as well
Finding something you've misplaced there could be a real challenge:

Joe: Excuse me, did you hapen to notice where I set my suitcase down?

A: Oh yes sir, it's just northeast of the south facing chair to the east of the ticket counter to the west. You can see it from here

Joe:

Yes that would be me. I am one of those people who has an extremely poor sense of direction. But what is amazing is the other compensating factors and abilities one developes in place of it. I have a very good visual memory of places and things.

Interesting experience, my wife is from Barbados, getting directions from the locals when lost on a country road there is an expreience. The directions consist of a long list of negative conclusions.

Joe- how do I get back to the main highway
OldMan: Starts his descripton, you see that tree over there,
Joe": yeah
OldMan: you go there, you go to far...see that red house over there
Joe" yeah
OldMan: Don't go there...See those buildings over there,
Joe:" Yeah
OldMan: that ain't it....if you go down that round and see cow pasture, you gotta turn around


Mind you I am with locals and my wife, this is normal directions, and it will continue on and on, leaving one with the slightest idea of how to get there..

Joe: Thanks for you help..
As i Drive away, the old man is following my car still giving me long lists of negations, you gone to far when you at that green house close to the round bout....

I