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I see people's grammar and vocabulary as more of a statement of their level of education than their native intelligence, really. There are plenty of very smart people who don't have much formal educational training. Just as there are some really dumb ones who do. I think many of us probably do judge people's intelligence based on superficial things like grammar, spelling and vocabulary, but I'm not at all sure that's a fair judgment to make.
I've always had a firm grasp of vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation and don't have much education in the field. I think it is an indicator of one type of intelligence, but I also think the original question is flawed because there's really no such thing as a singular "intelligence". There's many, many types of intelligences, different "muscles" in the brain; some stronger than the other. I never liked the idea of an "IQ" for this very reason.
I think it is a good way to begin to assess someone's intelligence. Language use is the basis of education today. What good is it to have the best idea ever if you cannot convey it into words? I find for the most part that you can judge someone's intelligence by their speech, except when people post here blitzed out of their skulls. However, it is true that there are some people that are gifted in others areas of intelligence, and that is why I only use those early language judgments as a litmus test until I can truly absorb that person's ideas and make my final decision. I suppose I should say though that I am typically one to judge early, and often.
If I had judged by this method, alone, I would not be living with a great cook. It just so happened to be that the person, with the poor spelling and grammar, will willingly call herself stupid as a result of slower-learning classes.
of course. language holds the universe together. everything and anything comes from language. nubmers are right there too. :hippy:
I know. It kind of pisses me off when I have to stop and correct the writer.
Language, no matter how skilled the writer, thinker or speaker may be, is not refined enough to enable the putting into words of everything. At best, it only touches on many ideas, feelings and emotions. This is why disciplines like the fine arts are important. Artistic talent can't be measured by IQ, or any other, tests. This is not to say that language skills are unnecessary. Good writing is an art, as well as a means of communication.
Pass me some of that she it! great post mate. :rastasmoke:Quote:
Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat
What's to say that someone with an amazing gift for words couldn't put into words an artist's ideas better than the artist could? Is it not the point of most art to convey an idea or expression? And if the art is purely to evoke emotion, it is almost impossible to convey an emotion in art that you could not put into words with a skilled hand. I think you put too little faith in the power of language and how it can be woven into intricate and amazing ideas. If it were not for language, civilization would never have developed or flourished, and is the essential mortar keeping it together because it keeps us all connected.
mathematics is the ONLY universal language.