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Comment by cataphract

2 days ago

What about when you're reading? You don't have a voice in your head saying the words?

Only if it is a very hard text that I have to move slowly thru. For normal reading, no not at all. If I am trying to read something faster than is comfortable, I will periodically emphasize the thing, the idea, behind a key word, so I am more likely to remember it at the useful time. Not verbal and there are many many times when I can describe the thing but not recall the normal word. Like the flat thing with keys in it instead of keyboard. Or even weird quasi-synonyms that serve to muddy the waters as far as sharing my thoughts with others goes.

No. Do you? Like you hear words in your head?

Obviously there is a language layer in there somewhere, but my 'driver' doesn't access it. I don't think in words, I don't have an internal narrative, and when I'm reading I don't even 'see' individual words, in the same way you aren't thinking about your ankle muscles when you're hitting the brakes while driving.

I definitely can consciously make words, but it's 'me' deliberately deciding to make them and hold them in my head. It wouldn't happen naturally.