An Ear for Language
The subject of a recent conversation - there is such a notion as absolute pitch and the more general concept of “an ear for music”. What about “an ear for language”? The expression is actually copyright of 
uhunja and has been primarily defined by her. Perfect pitch allows you to hear when a note is even slightly off - the ability to hear language is about knowing when a word, or any larger language structure, is not quite right.
You perceive subtle differences in styles and meanings of words, intricacies of word placement, phonetic flow, undesirable double entendres in your own writing and the writing of others. I am not talking about making conscious distinctions - this is a split-second reaction: “this is wrong!”. Then you might have to stop and analyse exactly how and why it is wrong. The opposite side of that coin is when you have finally found the right word, or the right way to put words together. You just know. It sounds right.
Like with an ear for music, different people have an ear for language to various degrees. It’s trainable - there is nothing like reading for it. Lots. Quality literature. From an early age (actually, I believe, childhood is the most important period here, just as with music). The problem is - the people who read that much from childhood are usually those with a good ear for language already. Otherwise they will not be drawn to reading to such a degree. So it’s a case of developing a natural ability where it is already present - great idea by all means. But at the same time the people who most need it are actually missing out. It is not uncommon to take a reluctant child to music lessons. Making a reluctant child read till dawn by the light of the street lamp outside the window - this is something else.
Well, keep in mind, this was a conversation between two individuals who sincerely fail to understand those who had not read through countless nights. And who had later gone and got themselves degrees in languages and literature (among other things). So it did get a bit elitist and self-congratulatory. But I genuinely believe that people not developing an appreciation for the wonderful medium of language do not know what they are missing.
uhunja and has been primarily defined by her. Perfect pitch allows you to hear when a note is even slightly off - the ability to hear language is about knowing when a word, or any larger language structure, is not quite right.
You perceive subtle differences in styles and meanings of words, intricacies of word placement, phonetic flow, undesirable double entendres in your own writing and the writing of others. I am not talking about making conscious distinctions - this is a split-second reaction: “this is wrong!”. Then you might have to stop and analyse exactly how and why it is wrong. The opposite side of that coin is when you have finally found the right word, or the right way to put words together. You just know. It sounds right.
Like with an ear for music, different people have an ear for language to various degrees. It’s trainable - there is nothing like reading for it. Lots. Quality literature. From an early age (actually, I believe, childhood is the most important period here, just as with music). The problem is - the people who read that much from childhood are usually those with a good ear for language already. Otherwise they will not be drawn to reading to such a degree. So it’s a case of developing a natural ability where it is already present - great idea by all means. But at the same time the people who most need it are actually missing out. It is not uncommon to take a reluctant child to music lessons. Making a reluctant child read till dawn by the light of the street lamp outside the window - this is something else.
Well, keep in mind, this was a conversation between two individuals who sincerely fail to understand those who had not read through countless nights. And who had later gone and got themselves degrees in languages and literature (among other things). So it did get a bit elitist and self-congratulatory. But I genuinely believe that people not developing an appreciation for the wonderful medium of language do not know what they are missing.