Date: Fri, 8 Dec 1995 00:34:52 -0800

From: Rima & Kim McKinzey rkm[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SLIP.NET

Subject: Re: Language and Intelligence



However, this has made me think of my situation, where I am living in the

Netherlands and often find myself in groups of people who are speaking Dutch.

I can understand a good bit now, but because I don't use it often, I have

some trouble speaking it myself. What I have discovered is that people tend

to treat me as though I'm retarded in some way. If someone starts to speak to

me in English and we have a normal conversation, I can immediately see the

difference in the way they interact with me--sometimes they even look

surprised when they realize that I can discuss things normally.



This reminds me of another way folks make assumptions. After I broke my

leg very badly many years ago and was going around on crutches, I noticed

that some people would speak to me louder and slower. I kept having to

tell them that my leg was broken, my mind and ears were fine.



Rima