Birthday Boy!

[mssaskia]

Wilbur and I were sitting in the bedroom yesterday. I told him that his birthday is coming up in a few days and that he's going to be 13 years old. I showed him on my fingers how many 13 is. No idea if that sank in or not, but I do know he knows a few numbers. I reminded him that last year he got a present for his birthday. He wagged his tail

Comments

Language sharing: U r doin it rite!

[mssaskia]

That's exactly what I did with Wilbur when I was working with him. And still do, but less often since he's gotten good at understanding new words from context. He's also gotten surprisingly good at listening to human conversations and learning new words from that.

I'd first read about the language studies with Alex the African Grey parrot at the MIT linguistics lab back in the late 80s. I followed any stories about their work that I could find for years. I also followed stories about Koko and other ASL-using primates. What was interesting about how they taught Alex was that there was an emphasis on teaching him a word, then using it in different ways in sentences, as well as having a grad student there to model behaviors that matched the actions required of a sentence.

I kept all that in mind when I was talking to Wilbur about his food, and how it was in his bowl on the floor, and how nummy his food is, ad nauseum. It worked, though. Now he understands words for emotions, for times, for possibilities, for if/then propositions. The times when he does something stupid end up being a shock.

Can't wait to hear more about how Bexley is progressing.

Did I mention I really miss you guys?

Re: Language sharing: U r doin it rite!

[syducingfate]

At some point over the years, I'd asked you how you taught Wilbur to be so smart & chatty, so I got this from you. We talk about everything at this point, she's not always interested- but she's happy to let me know, "Mom, you're boring. Shut up!" I'll have to email you her photoblog!

We miss you, too!

Re: Language sharing: U r doin it rite!

[mssaskia]

It occurred to me that I was repeating myself. Which I do a lot. In a redundant, repetitive way.

There've definitely been times I've been rephrasing things for language acquisition purposes and Wilbur's heaved a big sigh, like he's sick to death of me yakking on and on and on. "I get it already! Enough!"