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Aug 6, 2007, 04:58 pm

This is not a debate topic, just a matter of curiosity. How does a person who was deaf from birth think? If they were born deaf then they don't have words. I think in words. Formulate arguments in my mind, answer them, etc. I also think in pictures, sounds, etc. depending on the topics, but the majority of my critical thinking, I think, is done with words. If you don't have words, how is the thinking done? Do deaf people think in signs? Images? If not words, what are the symbols that deaf people use to think? Then again, maybe deaf people do think with words.

Regards
S.

LadiesMan217 · Aug 6, 2007, 05:14 pm

I once got into a discussion with my brothers about this but it did not bear any conclusive answer. Perhaps they can think in words since they can learn to read. That is the only way I can imagine they would be able to think using words, otherwise I have no clue. I am curious though because when I think using words I am saying what I thinking in my head, sounding them out so to speak, and I do not know how a deaf person would do this since they have no clue what words sound like. Maybe they picture the words in their head? Maybe they actually cannot learn to read since such a detrimental part of learning the words is knowing what they sound like.

Muckraker · Aug 6, 2007, 07:22 pm

The same question could be posed regarding languages. Imagine a sadistic parent that only teaches their child a "made-up" language. How difficult would life be if all your thoughts were in Klingon? :)

I believe a "word" is really no different than an "image" in thought and people will think in whatever "images" constitute thought for them. As long as there is some form of sensory input and/or stimulus, no matter how minute, there will be thought if the brain is functioning properly.

LadiesMan217 · Aug 6, 2007, 07:38 pm

Quote:

The same question could be posed regarding languages. Imagine a sadistic parent that only teaches their child a "made-up" language. How difficult would life be if all your thoughts were in Klingon?

Accept for the fact that no one else could speak it except for the child and their parents it would really be no different than say a German speaker trying to learn English.

DEEJ85 · Aug 8, 2007, 01:59 am

Actually, I heard of a guy that taught his son Klingon and English from birth. eventually the kid decided he didn't want to speak Klingon anymore because there was not many others for him to converse with.

normal speaking people, probably have thoughts and make decisions in their heads occasionally without language at all. Today while I was driving, When I had to make a simple decision I often found myself visualizing it in my head instead of vocalizing in my head.

ZNFYRH · Aug 8, 2007, 09:29 am

From what I understand, we think in images. It's only after the thoughts, even if a split second after, that we associate those images with words.

Rooster · Aug 8, 2007, 12:50 pm

They probably think alot better w/out having to listen to all the idiots out there

Maybe-not · Aug 8, 2007, 02:01 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Rooster

They probably think alot better w/out having to listen to all the idiots out there

There are also idiots in writing, fx. on the Internet..

Aug 6, 2007, 04:58 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
sdbest Guest Posts: n/a	How do deaf people think? This is not a debate topic, just a matter of curiosity. How does a person who was deaf from birth think? If they were born deaf then they don't have words. I think in words. Formulate arguments in my mind, answer them, etc. I also think in pictures, sounds, etc. depending on the topics, but the majority of my critical thinking, I think, is done with words. If you don't have words, how is the thinking done? Do deaf people think in signs? Images? If not words, what are the symbols that deaf people use to think? Then again, maybe deaf people do think with words. Regards S.

Aug 6, 2007, 05:14 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
LadiesMan217 MoreThanMeetsTheEye Location: Earth, Solar System Posts: 505	I once got into a discussion with my brothers about this but it did not bear any conclusive answer. Perhaps they can think in words since they can learn to read. That is the only way I can imagine they would be able to think using words, otherwise I have no clue. I am curious though because when I think using words I am saying what I thinking in my head, sounding them out so to speak, and I do not know how a deaf person would do this since they have no clue what words sound like. Maybe they picture the words in their head? Maybe they actually cannot learn to read since such a detrimental part of learning the words is knowing what they sound like. No sacrifice, No victory

Aug 8, 2007, 01:59 am	#5 (permalink) (top)
DEEJ85 Igneous Magma Posts: 261	Actually, I heard of a guy that taught his son Klingon and English from birth. eventually the kid decided he didn't want to speak Klingon anymore because there was not many others for him to converse with. normal speaking people, probably have thoughts and make decisions in their heads occasionally without language at all. Today while I was driving, When I had to make a simple decision I often found myself visualizing it in my head instead of vocalizing in my head. Beware of Logical Fallacies. See a list of them in the link below. http://home.mcn.net/~montanabw/fallacies.html

Aug 8, 2007, 09:29 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	From what I understand, we think in images. It's only after the thoughts, even if a split second after, that we associate those images with words. IT'S A BOY!!

Aug 8, 2007, 12:50 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
Rooster Grace Posts: 80	They probably think alot better w/out having to listen to all the idiots out there We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant

Aug 6, 2007, 07:22 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Muckraker Igneous Magma Posts: 354	The same question could be posed regarding languages. Imagine a sadistic parent that only teaches their child a "made-up" language. How difficult would life be if all your thoughts were in Klingon? :) I believe a "word" is really no different than an "image" in thought and people will think in whatever "images" constitute thought for them. As long as there is some form of sensory input and/or stimulus, no matter how minute, there will be thought if the brain is functioning properly.