Revelations....

So, I was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD - for short). At first I was horrified, was this little strangely red haired German Doctor being mean to me or what?

I'd sat back down in his office following the hearing tests. He was about to explain what their results showed or revealed. Prior to having the tests, I'd spent a brief time with the Consultant, who'd asked me (in brilliant English compared to my spoken German) if I would agree to wearing deaf aids should the test prove I was very hard of hearing. I'm laughing just remembering the question and my reaction.

I'd looked at him with a (barely concealing it semi-smiled and mimed "What?" (sotto voce styled), - slight/ head moves down/ but is turned upwards at a slight angle/ eyes looking directly at him but not centred (from an angle - you could see white on one side only) = means : Are you serious?

Here's an interesting question: Why have our species developed such a wealth of spoken and (consequently?) written forms of language?

Because it's hard to explain somethings without it?

I joined a course yesterday (evening), It's called "An Introduction to Sign Language" - BSL (that's British Sign Language). I've been learning a lot about it recently, although, with hindsight, I now realise I know more than I'd ever appreciated previously. What I learnt some months ago, which surprised me, was that the British Government only 'formally' recognised BSL as a 'real' language in the last decade. Does that surprise you too?

Think about it, our National language 'English' is THE International Language at this point. We're moving rapidly into a single world expression of thought through the point of focus of our modern age - The Internet/Information Technology. At this point, on the threshold to the future, our native language is the one of choice throughout the world. The 21st Century began a decade ago, around the point when BSL was recognised.

How many deaf people do YOU know? If, like me, your answer is: "Not many, maybe no-one at all". Yet we've all encountered people suffering the loss of hearing, usually our elderly neighbours and/or family. British Sign Language is (probably) underlying our language. It's the Most natural form of sign language. It's been introduced to places and populations throughout the world, due to our innovative trading and historical success during the Industrial Revlotion, which we spread throughout the world.

I think it's Odd that it's only now that BSL has become recognised - so recently - and wasn't before. Surely, the question shouldn't have been, "So do we Call it a Language at all?", When in fact, it Pre-Existed, it's different because, ... let's talk about that later.

For now, I want to think about Genius. I've looked up (researched) how it's defined and eventually recognised (on the rare occasion when someone daft enough risks raising their head to be seen - only those with something interesting but innocuous (safe) are acclaimed as Genius. When the rest of us (I use that common descriptive 'group' term loosely) see some personal gain, however indirectly.

How about this though, let me better describe the scenario. Genius is cleverer from birth, sometimes it's even recognised and we have a term to describe those that are, they're child prodigy. The English language can be confusing at times, we have words that appear to mean differing things. Yet we're so specific that we have a bigger vocabulary than any other (I think that's correct).

I naturally research, we all do to some extent. I forget lots of things that are typically requested in exam situations, like: Dates, Persons Name, Publication. The stuff you'd include in a bibliography. I think that's irrelevant, I don't need to remember that stuff unless I have to prove to anyone that I'm not simply making it up. Or lying.

So for the sake of further comment, let's not argue about it, let's assume instead that this is just my thinking, if  you want to check out some of the details, you're invited to do so, but I don't think that's really important, what is.... is what I understand and know to be true. You can decide for yourself - incidentally, when you do, I'll also be making informed decisions about you.

A Genius is likely to remember a good deal about what they learn simply because they Chose to learn that. They'll recall what the main results were, how they arrived there and why that's correct. Where they have doubts about the conclusions, they'll consider the reasons why and may do one of two things further, they'll either continue to speculate until they arrive at the solution (work it out) or they'll actively seek it out. Apply that idea to Einstein. Everyone 'knows' he was a Genius, he's the best example we currently have, and the reason why he's our best example is because he changed so much or influenced (and continues to do so) our every day life.

Most people have heard or will learn about his equation: E = Mc2.  Most people haven't got a clue what that actually means. Who does?

A Genius because he was not only able to work things out, he had the ability to make others understand what he'd discovered. He had the ability to communicate his findings to others. There was a lecture (somewhere where he taught) and the leading Scientists from around the Globe sat and listened to Einstein explain, how all time exists Now.

I wonder how many came out pretending they'd seen the Emperor's New Clothes, when really, they hadn't understood how it could be because they hadn't understood what Einstein had said. See what I mean?

Was the man a Genius because, not only did he figure out something that was in some way useful to the rest of us (loosely applied) but because he'd a way of explaining that made all the difference in understanding for the majority who wanted to and had influence?

I remember when I was a young child watching "Tomorrow's World" on television. They'd introduce me to new creations that they assured us would be commonplace sometime soon. It fascinated me, these inventions and what they potentially offered as daily experience sometime soon in my future. No one had personal compters then, the idea of it was just a dream. Things have changed phenomenally over the last few years. So much new technology, sharing of ideas, inventions and wealth.

Language in any form is fascinating, wonderful, interesting and intriguing. It serves so many purposes for us and it's unavoidable as well.

I like Emphasis, I probably over use the word fascinating. I ramble as well and I like the word Tangent - it was first introduced to me in a Maths lesson. I liked it immediately because it perfectly described my frequent patterns of thought.

Our brains function faster than computers, computers are so much slower than dullards that it's immeasurable, at the moment. I'm sure that will change.

My brain works faster than most, I have a personal library that's so extensive and varied, I am spoilt for choice (literally) when considering any one route of 'conventional' degree. Plus, I am quickly bored by none sense information. Who really cares when someone figured something out, unless it's Relevant. In that what I mean is that, for an example, it offers a means of measure. If that happened then, this amount of time has passed since and so, this is what has happened as a result. See?

However, is my favourite word. People probably think it's an odd choice when there's so many more interesting words to have as a favourite. I like it because it's not unusual, so it can be used fairly frequently. It also marks a point of change. When you read an article and it says (at some point) "However....." it says,

"What you think has been previously agreed and or understood is now about to change and I'll describe why and how now, so pay attention".

So language has developed in order for us to explain the more complex and exchange information that profits us. English is the most versatile and specific language that we currently have and it's inclusive, flexible, expandable and encompassing.

What do I mean by that? I'm told that German is technical, French appears to be more obscure, and each language has in someway contributed to English. So in effect, it's not one language, it's them all.

I used to think that Maths was a separate (stand alone) multinational language, that was understood readily by a few.

Think about it, Maths is more specialised, it isn't just numbers it's specific terminology and incorporates symbology. It's more concise than verbal language and unhindered by dialect (? I'm not convinced about that although I'm positing for sweeping general appreciation).

Einstein utilised Math, in effect, he worked out codes.

Codes are language and there's a lot of them about nowadays. HTML, Java, to name a couple of the most obvious.

These codes are written 'mathematical' commands.

What's nice about them is that, mostly, if they're in anyway corrupt - it's recognisable - eventually - as an example think of the 'error' messages you occasionally get or the unexpected result.

Pretty much all of my school year reports made some mention of me being a bit of a daydreamer. I used to laugh whenever I saw that, thinking immediately of the occasions that had prompted that with the writer of the report. If it was the Headmaster (or their Deputy) I knew they'd be thinking of 'Assembly'. When I might have a thought on  some comment they were making and my process of thought had taken me off on a train. In other words, I'd stopped listening to whoever was speaking. Often, when I did look back at them, there was a question in my mind that in someway disagreed with what they'd been saying or required further insight (a response).

People ask questions, think of an interview (that's safe). It's understood by all present that the purpose is to understand if the person being interviewed (the Candidate) is suitable and preferred for the job (role).

Various questions will be asked in relation to the job itself, the reason given is so that those deciding who to appoint have an appreciation and trust in the response (make an informed decision about their knowledge and ability to perform the tasks involved). Questions also identify strengths and weaknesses to be considered along with the candidates appearance, personality and credibility.

"Tomorrow's World" - the programme I watched as a child - suggested that by the 21st Century, homeworking would become common place as people would have new technologies which would permit this to happen (Computers/Telephones) and it would (as a desired backproduct) allow more time to be spent with family. As a potential woman at the time, this appealed to me immediately. I could imagine myself working from home and being (at the same time) with my children - a good Mum.

New legislation regarding equality of opportunity was explained at school. Great, so now I get more freedom to choose and fulfil my personal potential and I still get to be a good Mum.