Do you think there is a direct correlation between success in academics and the ability to articulate yourself?

The ability to learn and the ability to articulate are two different things.

Obviously vocabulary helps a person articulate. If you don’t know the best fit word for what you are trying to say, you obviously won’t be able to say it. The ability to convey what you have learned hinges on vocabulary, not necessarily good grammar, although that can’t hurt. I guess you could make the argument that the more articulate you are, the more likely you are to succeed since a lot of educational funding (and jobs) require you to write essays, make speeches, and interview successfully.

The ability to learn has little to do with grammar, but being literate obviously helps. Even learning mathematics requires being able to understand an explanation.

I’m guessing if you had no ability to speak a language and were trying to learn something, eventually you’d learn a language, too.

I’ll be frank when I say this a good education leads to a better life period.

Articulate yourself? I imagine you disjointed.

@marinelife LOL!

How do you explain that I don’t remember anything before I learned to talk? I would be interested to meet someone who didnt learn to talk until they were 10, and see when their memories start.

Err, No!

I disagree. Some of the dumbest people I’ve talked to are incredibly articulate, and on the other side one of the brightest people I know has trouble forming a coherent sentence. Being able to articulate definitely helps get your idea across, but I doubt it makes you learn any faster.

First learning to speak is probably tied in with your early development. When you’re a baby you’re basically a mess of tissue and nerves trying to sort everything out. Once everything starts to sort itself out, you become capable of learning probably at the same time you’re capable of remembering. People who are born deaf who don’t learn a spoken language still have early childhood memories.

You might look into feral children, a lot of them who were brought back into society can tell you quite a bit of their lives before hand.

I remember what it was like before learning to talk, at age 1. I remember my crib, my mobile, and the thoughts I had. I remember my first bowl of Cheerios and wondering what they were, and being pleased at the taste. I thought in terms of shapes, colors, and comfort or discomfort. I remember curiosity; I remember strangers and relatives bending over and kissing me, and feeling the tiny electric shock from it, and hating it;

I have less academic success than George Bush, so that’s pretty bad.

And I don’t think success in academics per se, correlates with a better ability to articulate onseself.

However, academic success in English and Writing, does correlate. Basic reading must be started in Kindergarten. Basic writing must be mastered by 3rd grade. Speed reading and advanced writing must be mastered by 6th grade. A lot depends on the 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 6th grade teachers. An intelligent (or at least capable and hardworking) teacher is required. And a minimum level of curiosity is required of the student.

As for academic success on the whole…. that is achievable through hard work, by even the most stupid and illiterate of people.

I’m not sure I see the connection between academic success and flexible joints.

I think everyone should have a chance at a good education. I know some people who are very articulate in writing but not speaking and vice versa. Would we consider con artists educated? certainly requires intelligence for the bigger, better scams.

The ability to express yourself articulately can be a great contributor to academic success and also to success in life. But a direct correlation? I doubt it. There are too many other factors, and I have known too many glib losers.

Maybe. Those who speak well probably did well in school, and those who did well in school are most likely to be articulate, but I don’t think it’s an absolute. I, for instance, feel I’m articulate, but my grades aren’t stellar due to me being kind of lazy haha.

You are not truly educated until you are able to communicate. I am not saying that everyone has to be a public speaker but what good is your education if you can’t make your ideas known either by word or by writing. Sure you could possible write a really good mathematical equation but the reasoning must usually be defended. A mathematician that is constantly looking for someone to explain his work has limited usefulness. The same applies to most professions unless you intend to be a mime. Even mines need to explain themselves through their actions so they are, in a way, articulate.

Yes, there is! It’s not even a question amongst linguistic anthropologists (or simply, linguists) anymore. We were just covering these very questions in my anthropology class, and I suggest you read a few things, all of which I know you would be extremely interested in based on questions you asked. If you read them in order, especially, you will see answers to every single question, plus some:

When Languages Die
The Extinction of the World’s Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge
by K. David Harrison

I HIGHLY suggest reading this one, as it really, really, answers your questions:

English with an Accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States.
by Rosina Lippi-Green

And finally, I strongly encourage you to read:

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
by Daniel Chandler

If you can’t find them, let me know, and I can send them to you. I have all of them on my computer. :)

Absolutely.