Understanding speech, understanding speakers

pp. 239-270

in: Hans Hörmann, Meaning and context, Berlin, Springer, 1986

Abstract

A suitable introduction to the problems of understanding language is the report of the child psychologist Meumann, which we have already mentioned briefly in Chapter 3. The father with his small boy in his arms goes to the window and asks—in German—"Where is the window?" The child points to the window and says, "Da!" (there!). Meumann senior then asks: "Où est la fenêtre?" and then in English, "Where is the window?" Both times the child points to the window and says, "Da!" And when the father finally asks (again in German), "Where is the door?" the child points to the window again and says, "Da!"