Being understood
We tend to assume people will understand us whenever we speak or write.
Yet, if you're unilingual and you choose to move or travel to countries where your mother tongue isn't spoken, you would find it arduous to communicate with others. To achieve even partial understanding, you may resort to gestures, scribbles, universal symbols and basic sounds. An extended stay would likely drive you to learn say key phrases in the other language.
During fall 2011, my sign language instructors taught our class how much we take for granted the fundamental ability to communicate with ease. One of the instructors, who is both deaf and mute, shared her frustrations from not being "heard" and understood. If there was ever a place where you would expect those around you to grasp what you want to communicate, it's within your own home. Sadly, her experience was quite the opposite.
The same can be true for young children; they aren't always understood. In spending time with my nieces this past week, I've heard Mackenzie cry out to alert us when she requires something. Her parents' experience and trained ears help them ascertain what she needs. However, anyone who hasn't spent months with her wouldn't know whether she is wet, hungry, startled, hurt, thirsty or tired, because those cries seem indistinguishable.
By contrast, my oldest niece rhymes off the alphabet at breakneck speed, counts into the double digits, and sings tunes such as "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom." Makayla comprehends anything you say to her, and in the past two months, her vocabulary has not only multiplied, but now she also strings many words together.
That said, being a young toddler, Makayla still struggles with crystal-clear enunciation. The result: sometimes we're clueless as to what she's saying. When she realizes we're in the dark, she repeats her words, speaks louder and resorts to pointing out items.
Fortunately, children don't hold our ignorance against us. If anything, moments later they'll squeal with delight for our delayed lightbulb moment. Watching someone's face light up when you show evidence you've understood is...
AWESOME!
Yet, if you're unilingual and you choose to move or travel to countries where your mother tongue isn't spoken, you would find it arduous to communicate with others. To achieve even partial understanding, you may resort to gestures, scribbles, universal symbols and basic sounds. An extended stay would likely drive you to learn say key phrases in the other language.
During fall 2011, my sign language instructors taught our class how much we take for granted the fundamental ability to communicate with ease. One of the instructors, who is both deaf and mute, shared her frustrations from not being "heard" and understood. If there was ever a place where you would expect those around you to grasp what you want to communicate, it's within your own home. Sadly, her experience was quite the opposite.
The same can be true for young children; they aren't always understood. In spending time with my nieces this past week, I've heard Mackenzie cry out to alert us when she requires something. Her parents' experience and trained ears help them ascertain what she needs. However, anyone who hasn't spent months with her wouldn't know whether she is wet, hungry, startled, hurt, thirsty or tired, because those cries seem indistinguishable.
By contrast, my oldest niece rhymes off the alphabet at breakneck speed, counts into the double digits, and sings tunes such as "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom." Makayla comprehends anything you say to her, and in the past two months, her vocabulary has not only multiplied, but now she also strings many words together.
That said, being a young toddler, Makayla still struggles with crystal-clear enunciation. The result: sometimes we're clueless as to what she's saying. When she realizes we're in the dark, she repeats her words, speaks louder and resorts to pointing out items.
Fortunately, children don't hold our ignorance against us. If anything, moments later they'll squeal with delight for our delayed lightbulb moment. Watching someone's face light up when you show evidence you've understood is...
AWESOME!
I absolutely *heart* this one!
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