RRJ#5

Reference:

Tip-of-the-Tongue Moments Explained (2010, February 26). FOX NEWS.com. Retrieved February 28, 2010, from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587483,00.html

Summary:

Tip-of-the-tongue is one of the disappointing emotions because this situation is that in which people know the meaning of the word and its existence, but they can’t say it. It may change with how often people use correct words. Researchers tested people who are bilingual, and people who are inaudible and use American Sign Language for communication to know how they establish and memorize language in the brain. They found that inaudible people have an experience tip-of-the-finger. It may happen nearly once a week, the same as speakers do. When people try to remember a specific word, similar-sounding words will come up in their brain, and shut out the access ability to the certain words. It is called phonological blocking. Next, researchers compared bilingual speakers, and people who can speak English and use ASL. They showed that bilingual people have more experience of tip-of-the-tongue, for they have twice as many words in their brain as phonological blockers. Tip-of-the-tongue is more common in any types of bilinguals because they have difficulty accessing correct words in their brain more than one language speakers.

Reaction:

Actually, I am having some experience of tip-of-the-tongue almost every day. It makes me really frustrated. When I want to say something in English, sometimes I just can remember the Japanese words. Now, I’m learning two languages. Before I learned them, tip-of-the-tongue has just happened a few times. However, when I speak a different language, I can’t remember correct words because many kinds of similar words come up in my brain. Therefore, I agree with the article. From the article, I learned a new interesting thing that deaf people also have this kind of experience like me. They use gestures to communicate, but it is the same as our speaking language. To decrease tip-of-the-tongue, people have to use frequently all languages that they speak. It is difficult for me to try it because my skills of language are not perfect in each of languages that I learn, but I will try it because I would like to learn the languages.

RRJ#4

Reference:

Schmid, R. (2010, February 20). Research finds brain link for words, music ability; finding may lead to better stroke care. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2010,from http://www.latimes.com/news/science/wire/sns-ap-us-sci-words-and-music,0,5341031.story

Summary:

Natural partners such as words and music work together obviously. Scientists are thinking that these abilities are connected in the brain. Also, a new study mentions that extensive musical therapy may help stroke patients to improve their speech. In addition, music education can give a good speech for children who have developmental dyslexia or autism. A long time ago, there were some reports about stroke patients who couldn’t talk but could sing. Today, researchers are trying to find the answer if music can help them as a therapy. According to director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, new studies mention that musical training can improve the ability to do other things in the brain. Musical experience enhances important abilities such as understanding the nuances of language more accurately in our life. When people learn to talk and talk to babies, they usually use musical things. Many years’ musical training will be able to improve how sounds are developed in language and emotion. Also, music involves large parts on both sides of the brain. Some scientists think that musical ability in humans may be developed before language.

Reaction:

I’m listening to music almost every day. I can hear many kinds of sounds in daily life. Before I read the article, I heard about music therapy just a little. I was thinking that it is just for relaxing, but it has many abilities to improve speech skills. I was surprised that playing an instrument has some benefits, and it involves our brain. Also, I was interested in that some people can’t talk, but can sing. They have some problems with speaking in their brain or mind; however, they can communicate by using music. It is an amazing research because I didn’t know music has such great power. People have to have some experience with musical instruments for many abilities in future. According to the article, we can get a good hearing system if we have these experiences. Therefore, it is good for learning language. It will be good to hear the different words as music, not as just words.