The Washington times., 1919-12-21
Converse in Eight Basic Sounds
Meaningless to Adults, But
Clear to Each Other,
Expert Asserts.
By MARGERY REX.


When Mrs. Brown calls on Mrs.
Jones she often takes along Jim, jr.,
who, although a mere caflow youth
of six months, likes to murmur. sweet
ly to Mrs. James Jane, sub-deb Of
five moons or SO. Now, the two gos-
siping mothers probably don't know
it, but their busy offspring have q
code of conversation all their own
that only other babies understand.
In fact. the language Of baby
hood numbers eight distinct sounds
that mean eight important things,
not to mention all the wigwags
that can be dashed when words
or SQUADS fail.
For example, young Mr.. Brown may
beat upon his mothers tired temples
and emit self-satisfied grunt. This
may be broadly interpreted as mean.
Ing, "My mothers better than yours"
This is the sound of pleasure or sat
isfaction. Whereupon it is a certainty
that Miss Jane will let out the note
of discomfort which may be, roughly
speaking, well, don't let us detain-
you, then"
Based ON Primary Needs.
Science presents the theory of a
speech that is fundamental and based
on primary needs. which is exempli-
fed by the prattle of childhood before
actual language is taught.
From Seattle comes the story of two
children. reared none too gently by
a hermit father. William Koss, who
seemed not to have cared whether his
two ten-year-old boys ever learned
TO talk or not. Public authorities,
informed OF the situation, took the
children in charge and they report,
after tests, that, although the young
sters are possessed of all the normal
mental faculties OF other children
they are unable to speak any word
Of any; civilized tongue. Yet the two
other by means of queer sounds and
signals. .-.-
DIR. Garner's Theories.
DR.. Richard Garner. of the Smith
sonian Institution here, eminent sci
enlist and explorer. who has made a
study of language and means Of COM
munication used by civilized human
beings, savage tribes. and animals.
has some theories to offer regarding
the case of the two children of Seattle
and of the growth Of language
II cannot understand how any
two children in a large family
could be so totally lacking in
speech as the two sons of William
koss of Seattle, whose case has
been reported recently" said DR..
Garner.
The family is supposed to have
consisted of six children. And six
could have developed a better
means OF communication than
these particular two seem to have
at present.
"Speech Is a DEVELOPMENT that
becomes conventionnlixed as nec-
essary. =
mo speech In existence exceeds
the bounds Of mental speculation.
The activities Of the mind are the
limits OF speech.
~Speech Ia mRterialised thsurSf.
thought mnde tangible.
i had lifelong controversy
with the late Max Muller. noted
Orientalist, of London. He ad-
vanced the theory that speech was
an invention, and that man
couldn't think without words,
II wrote to Muller for an eXplana-
ton of how he thought man could
invent words; first to call his ar.
tention to the fact that thought Is
necessary before invention is nos
sible. I also asked him how q man
could think to invent words IL i,
were true, as he claimed, that tho
power of thought followed tho
possession of words.
"He never answered me
speech develops in this FASH