Lederer's Miracle

While I enjoyed Lederer's Miracle of Language, I strongly disagree with his assumption that we as people aren't humans until we are able to speak some sort of verbal language. Our ability as humans to speak a diverse set of languages does in fact set us apart from other creatures of the world, but it is not what makes us human. If language is his standard for being a human then just about every living creature on earth is human. How many of us have taught our dogs to shake hands or to speak? Most of us have. Does that mean our dogs are human? I would have to say no. I had a cockatiel bird as a pet, and I taught him to actually say words. Now according to Lederer, my bird is human because he can say hello. Helen Keller was taught sign language, but so are apes. Does that mean humans and apes are equal? Definitely not!

I did enjoy his thoughts on Richard Wright because I do believe styles of writing and language can have huge impacts on individuals' lives. Richard was able to educate himself through the written words and language of another, and from that he went on to become a great writer.

So many children communicate without words. I'm sure some of you in this class have babies and small children that do certain things with their hands that tell you something, or what about a facial expression that is made when he or she dislikes something. How can Lederer say that a baby is not human until they can talk or reason. I'm sure we would all disagree with that. I believe it is not his place to decide what makes us human.

While I enjoyed Lederer's Miracle of Language, I strongly disagree with his assumption that we as people aren't humans until we are able to speak some sort of verbal language. Our ability as humans to speak a diverse set of languages does in fact set us apart from other creatures of the world, but it is not what makes us human. If language is his standard for being a human then just about every living creature on earth is human. How many of us have taught our dogs to shake hands or to speak? Most of us have. Does that mean our dogs are human? I would have to say no. I had a cockatiel bird as a pet, and I taught him to actually say words. Now according to Lederer, my bird is human because he can say hello. Helen Keller was taught sign language, but so are apes. Does that mean humans and apes are equal? Definitely not!

I did enjoy his thoughts on Richard Wright because I do believe styles of writing and language can have huge impacts on individuals' lives. Richard was able to educate himself through the written words and language of another, and from that he went on to become a great writer.

So many children communicate without words. I'm sure some of you in this class have babies and small children that do certain things with their hands that

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