We somehow think that when we are born, we first acquire the language used around us and then live with it for the rest of our lives. In fact, the majority of people in society will continue to learn the language used around them as they use it over the course of their lives. However, there are many people who are unable to use the language that is used around them for various reasons, and others who once used it but are no longer able to. The way we interact with language, which we take for granted, can change, and it is okay to be different from others. Based on this idea, we have tried to present the “language history” of 20 people in this section.
Verbal expressions go through at least five steps in the process of being communicated to another person. If any one of those steps goes wrong, the language will not be properly communicated.
For example, language consists of physical signals. If the transmission of signals is blocked, the linguistic expressions that are sent out will be blocked. Examples of this are spoken language interaction in noise, and sign language interaction in darkness or backlighting. We, as speakers, live in such situations every day, skillfully using the knowledge we already have to understand speech by making inferences and supplementing information.
Furthermore, we transmit language through the secondary use of the organs we possess as an organism. Therefore, it is difficult to continue speaking while chewing in the case of spoken language, and sign language cannot be used while holding objects in both hands. More specifically, it is difficult to express or understand even if you have language in your head if the motor function for transmitting words such as your hand or mouth are impaired, or if the organs for receiving language, such as the eyes or ears, do not work in the usual way. In some cases, people may be born unable to move properly, and in other cases, due to accidents or illness, these organs may become unusable. Indeed, the head, or brain, is the command center for a person’s entire use of language. If this command center does not function well for some reason, it becomes difficult for the person to communicate.
Language is clearly important for human beings. On the other hand, even if you don’t speak a language, you can still be a part of the community. We are sure that the phrase “even if you cannot express yourself, it does not mean that you are not thinking” in the language history is a feeling shared by all those who have experienced the inability to use languages.
With developments in technology, it has become possible for people who have been unable to speak in the past to communicate in a number of ways. At the same time, all members of a society should know, understand, and accept the diversity of “language history.” Know, accept, and understand the various ways in which you interact with languages. We believe that this will lead to the acceptance of diversity in society and the creation of a place in which people with different languages and communication characteristics can all play an active role.