I get a special thrill in watching language-use develop in my 2 and a half year old son. I particularly enjoy discovering his grasp of concepts like opposites and how he applies them in a logically consistent fashion but which defy the often illogic nature of the English language.
One of the latest was the statement: "Wake up," which was followed by a pause, then a smile and the words: "Sleep down."
It does make sense. If a person wakes up, then when they sleep they most logically must sleep down. Here I've been calling myself a writer, a manipulator of words and phrases, yet in the past year or so as my son has been developing his own approach to the English language, I think I've learned more than in the previous three decades.
3 comments:
oh i have to agree completely! it is truly one of my favorite things about young children, being able to listen to how their language develops is such an amazing glimpse into their minds and the craziness of our language.
It's all about perspective....and the view is a lot different at three feet!
They certainly have the potential to open your eyes don't they?
OK... now that is totally brilliant! Have you noted more of these down?
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