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In Reply to: universal language posted by Hillary Owens-Hamlin on February 02, 1999 at 13:34:26:

Hillary, you may have something there. If you needed to communicate with someone who knew none of you language, what would you do. I would shy away from the painting theory because paintings have so many interpretations anyway. What symbolizes death to somebody may symbolize life to another. Now cave carvings may be a better choice. Simple drawings could probably be interpreted by almost any culture. If you draw a buffalo, they may not know the word for buffalo, but they know what you drew, and it's agreat way to communicate. In that way, pictures seem to be a universal language. Also, simple gestures can be a great way of communicating with other cultures. If you wanted a hotel in a place you've never been and you don't know the language, what would you do? Probably stop someone, point to yourself, and then close your eyes and let your head rest on you palm-to-palm hands by the side of your head, you know, the kind of universal sign for sleep.
Expressions and body language are also universal. If someone's mouth was wide open and their eyes were too, you may not know where they are from or what language they speak, but you can be pretty sure that they are surprised. Can anyone else think of any universal languages. There are always ways to communicate with others, what does everyone else think?
Ryan :)

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• Re: universal language Amy Kitchell 22:55:08 2/02/99 (0)

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: Hillary, you may have something there. If you needed to communicate with someone who knew none of you language, what would you do. I would shy away from the painting theory because paintings have so many interpretations anyway. What symbolizes death to somebody may symbolize life to another. Now cave carvings may be a better choice. Simple drawings could probably be interpreted by almost any culture. If you draw a buffalo, they may not know the word for buffalo, but they know what you drew, and it's agreat way to communicate. In that way, pictures seem to be a universal language. Also, simple gestures can be a great way of communicating with other cultures. If you wanted a hotel in a place you've never been and you don't know the language, what would you do? Probably stop someone, point to yourself, and then close your eyes and let your head rest on you palm-to-palm hands by the side of your head, you know, the kind of universal sign for sleep. : Expressions and body language are also universal. If someone's mouth was wide open and their eyes were too, you may not know where they are from or what language they speak, but you can be pretty sure that they are surprised. Can anyone else think of any universal languages. There are always ways to communicate with others, what does everyone else think? : Ryan :)

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