Jean Berko Gleason's Brief But Spectacular take on language

Summary

Psycholinguist Jean Berko Gleason, a professor emeritus at Boston University, shares her Brief But Spectacular take on language. Known for creating The Wug Test, she explores children's internal grammar systems. Gleason discusses her passion for languages, her brother's cerebral palsy, and the importance of a loving atmosphere for language acquisition. She emphasizes the need for one-on-one relationships to foster communication and respect for individuals with disabilities.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Jean Berko Gleason is a psycholinguist and professor emeritus at Boston University, renowned for her contributions to the understanding of children's language.
• 🗣️ Gleason has a personal intolerance for rudeness and certain noises, particularly those made while eating soft boiled eggs.
• 📱 She is an enthusiast of technology, having installed streaming cameras and a video doorbell in her home.
• 👵 An encounter with a young woman who underestimated her technological acumen due to her age led to a moment of revelation about ageist assumptions.
• 🧠 Gleason's fascination with language began in childhood, influenced by her brother Marty, who had cerebral palsy and was often misunderstood by others due to his speech difficulties.
• 🌐 Initially, she aimed to study multiple languages out of her love for them, and she speaks several languages including Norwegian, French, Russian, and some Arabic and German.
• 🐦 The 'Wug Test' is a famous experiment created by Gleason to investigate whether young children possess an internal grammar system to understand and use new words.
• 👶 Gleason emphasizes the importance of a loving atmosphere for language acquisition, advocating for one-on-one relationships to foster children's desire to communicate.
• 💡 Her work highlights the need to recognize and respect the intellectual capacity of individuals with disabilities, who are often wrongly assumed to lack intelligence based on their physical or verbal challenges.
• 🌟 Jean Berko Gleason's 'Brief But Spectacular' take on language underscores her dedication to understanding and promoting effective communication, especially in children.

Q & A

Who is Jean Berko Gleason?

Jean Berko Gleason is a psycholinguist and a professor emeritus at Boston University, best known for creating a test that significantly contributed to our understanding of children's language.

What is Jean Berko Gleason's stance on rudeness?

Jean Berko Gleason has an intolerance for rudeness, as indicated by her dislike for people making noises while eating.

Why does Jean Berko Gleason mention her own video doorbell and streaming cameras?

Jean Berko Gleason mentions her video doorbell and streaming cameras to highlight her love for technology and her ability to keep up with modern advancements despite her age.

How did Jean Berko Gleason respond to the woman who underestimated her technological skills?

Jean Berko Gleason responded by informing the woman that she has a Ph.D. from Harvard, which effectively silenced the woman's assumptions about her technological abilities.

What is the significance of Jean Berko Gleason's brother Marty in her life and career?

Marty, her brother with cerebral palsy, played a significant role in her life and career by inspiring her interest in language and the challenges faced by people with disabilities in being understood.

What languages does Jean Berko Gleason speak?

Jean Berko Gleason speaks Norwegian, French, Russian, and knows bits and pieces of Arabic, German, and enough Spanish to get dinner.

What is the Wug Test, and why is it important?

The Wug Test is a study created by Jean Berko Gleason to determine if young children have internal grammar systems that allow them to understand and use words they have never heard before.

What does Jean Berko Gleason believe is essential for children to acquire language?

Jean Berko Gleason believes that it is important for children to acquire language in a loving atmosphere and through one-on-one relationships where they feel cared for and motivated to communicate.

How does Jean Berko Gleason define her 'Brief But Spectacular' take on language?

Jean Berko Gleason's 'Brief But Spectacular' take on language emphasizes the importance of understanding and nurturing children's linguistic abilities in a supportive and caring environment.

What was the young woman's initial reaction when she saw Jean Berko Gleason using a smartphone?

The young woman was initially surprised and made a comment implying that Jean Berko Gleason was too old to use a smartphone, which Jean found appalled.