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In a message dated 7/31/02 10:53:20 AM, ckenski@... writes:

<< <<<OH never mind. Those who couldn't speak the language wouldn't reproduce
as
readily... it would be lower in that population.>>> >>

If someone can't speak the language very well, he won't be on anyone's "top
ten eligible bachelors" list. When people choose mates they go for the best
possible. If someone can't speak plainly enough that you can't tell whether
he's saying "but" or "dog" (pero or perro) you probably don't want to have
long romantic conversations and marry him. Or he won't have a high paying
job as a tv announcer so that his salary lures in potential mates.

Mainly, I don't believe it's genetic at all.

But more specifically I'm saying IF it is genetic, why are there not lots of
babies born in Spanish-speaking families who can't possibly pronounce 'rr'?

But IF it is genetic, perhaps in Spanish-speaking populations it is a trait
which is not favored by the reproductive choice.

Sandra

Kate Green

>
> Mainly, I don't believe it's genetic at all.

I think it's a mix as with most aspects of development. Chomsky's idea of
the language aquisition device is very intriguing and explains the built-in
patterns of development that infants all go thru around the world. BUT this
must be reinforced with positive responses or the behavior is extinguished
(as in the case of deaf babies making babbling noises at the same time as
hearing babies but then stopping).

>
> But more specifically I'm saying IF it is genetic, why are there not lots
of
> babies born in Spanish-speaking families who can't possibly pronounce 'rr'?

Here again is the reinforcer. In Spanish they get positive reactions to
make the "rr" sound but it doesn't elicit a strong response from English
speaking parents. So we just drop the innate ability to produce that sound.


Kate
>
> But IF it is genetic, perhaps in Spanish-speaking populations it is a trait
> which is not favored by the reproductive choice.
>
> Sandra
>
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Cristina Kenski

Sandra,

Thank you for taking the time to explain this further, it went over my head
the first few posts.
I must get coffee then read.

Cris

<<If someone can't speak the language very well, he won't be on anyone's
"top
ten eligible bachelors" list. When people choose mates they go for the best
possible. If someone can't speak plainly enough that you can't tell whether
he's saying "but" or "dog" (pero or perro) you probably don't want to have
long romantic conversations and marry him. Or he won't have a high paying
job as a tv announcer so that his salary lures in potential mates.

Mainly, I don't believe it's genetic at all.

But more specifically I'm saying IF it is genetic, why are there not lots of
babies born in Spanish-speaking families who can't possibly pronounce 'rr'?

But IF it is genetic, perhaps in Spanish-speaking populations it is a trait
which is not favored by the reproductive choice.
Sandra>>

Sharon Rudd

. Or he
> won't have a high paying
> job as a tv announcer so that his salary lures in
> potential mates.

I think it is folks who have time, not necessarily
good salaries,or great speeech, who reproduce a
lot....

Sharon of the Swamp

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Tia Leschke

>
>
>I think it is folks who have time, not necessarily
>good salaries,or great speeech, who reproduce a
>lot....

I wasn't aware that it took a great deal of time to reproduce. <g>
Tia

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island

Sharon Rudd

A LOT :-) as in many
Sharon of the Swamp

> >I think it is folks who have time, not necessarily
> >good salaries,or great speeech, who reproduce a
> >lot....
>
> I wasn't aware that it took a great deal of time to
> reproduce. <g>
> Tia
>

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HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs
http://www.hotjobs.com

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I wasn't aware that it took a great deal of time to reproduce. <g>

It certainly didn't in our house. :P
~Elissa Cleaveland
An unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractic'd;
Happy in this, she is not so old
But she may learn.
W.S. The Merchant of Venice III, ii, 160