Have you ever felt too much is expected out of you? Felt that, because of this, you are losing control of what you are doing? Well I have. Quite a few times. And the first time it happened is still very much clear in my mind's eye.
The first time was when I was about 2, going on 3. I had just about started walking confidently, on my own, and was pleased as punch about it (of course that walking of mine resembled that of someone punch drunk but still, I was walking). That was when I was in control.
Or rather thought I was. I say that because apparently I was not. There's this other skill called talking that I was supposed to have gotten a grip of by that time (Someone did mention this to me but hey couldn't I just finish one and then come to the next one??). And since the communicating sounds I was using didn't fall under what they recognized as speech (snobs!!!) they almost branded me a 'retard'. I, for one, really didn't understand what the big deal was about. If the reason for talking was to communicate, then I was doing pretty well for myself at that point in time. I was getting through to whom ever it was I wanted to get through to. If I wanted attention, I would shout. Or bawl. Or cry. Or wet myself. Or a combination of all of these. If I wanted to show something to someone, I did the tug and point routine. If I saw something I liked, I would just say its name! For example, I saw a fish, I said "IF", "IF", "IF" and they understood. I saw a plane flying, I pointed up and just went "AAAA", "AAAA" and they got the point. My point here being that with my communication skills already so well developed, I didn't understand why they were making a song and dance about me not being able to 'Talk'!!
But that's what happened. And, totally disregarding my opposition to being forced to learn something useless, I was taught how to speak. And everything else that goes with it. Hmph. Talk about not being in control!!
The first time was when I was about 2, going on 3. I had just about started walking confidently, on my own, and was pleased as punch about it (of course that walking of mine resembled that of someone punch drunk but still, I was walking). That was when I was in control.
Or rather thought I was. I say that because apparently I was not. There's this other skill called talking that I was supposed to have gotten a grip of by that time (Someone did mention this to me but hey couldn't I just finish one and then come to the next one??). And since the communicating sounds I was using didn't fall under what they recognized as speech (snobs!!!) they almost branded me a 'retard'. I, for one, really didn't understand what the big deal was about. If the reason for talking was to communicate, then I was doing pretty well for myself at that point in time. I was getting through to whom ever it was I wanted to get through to. If I wanted attention, I would shout. Or bawl. Or cry. Or wet myself. Or a combination of all of these. If I wanted to show something to someone, I did the tug and point routine. If I saw something I liked, I would just say its name! For example, I saw a fish, I said "IF", "IF", "IF" and they understood. I saw a plane flying, I pointed up and just went "AAAA", "AAAA" and they got the point. My point here being that with my communication skills already so well developed, I didn't understand why they were making a song and dance about me not being able to 'Talk'!!
But that's what happened. And, totally disregarding my opposition to being forced to learn something useless, I was taught how to speak. And everything else that goes with it. Hmph. Talk about not being in control!!
2 comments:
Look who's complaining about being coerced into learning to communicate like a human...but for that, you'd be blogging quite effectively in primordial sounds!!!
Unfortunately, the pre-disposition to get your point across by tugging and pointing seems genetic..Your niece is following suit.. thank you!
Which just means that my niece is on the way to becoming a female me. Tall, smart and beautiful. Be happy about it. :)
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