The Talking Deaf Man - A Method Proposed, Whereby He Who is Born Deaf, May Learn to Speak, 1692 by John Conrade Amman
page 32 of 35 (91%)
page 32 of 35 (91%)
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lastly, all the _German Terminations_.
But there seems to be a great difficulty, that some Letters, as _e._ and _i. a._ and _u._ are uttered by the same opening of the Mouth, and consequently they must needs be confounded; but in good truth, it's of small moment, because for the most part the difference is not heeded, and the Letters, which according to their nature, are by far, more different, are written almost after the same manner, chiefly when they are pronounced hastily, as _m._ and _n. r._ and _n. a._ and _o. &c._ which yet puts no stop to an exercised _Reader_. Others object, that the _Deaf_ thus taught, will, it may be, understand no Body but my self: Indeed, this difficulty Teems to have something of weight in it; but we must know, that Menst Men pronounce most Letters badly alike, and write their Characters negligently; but with such a one who learns to speak, it is all one as it is with him, who is taught to read other Men's Writings: For first, he can scarce read any thing but what is written by his Master, and then the Writings of his School-fellows; and lastly, there is nothing which he cannot read, tho' very badly written, it is therefore not to be wondred at, if those I teach to speak, do at the beginning more easily understand me, than others; (for I pronounce the Letters in their full _extension_) and not _lamely_ (as many are wont to do) and after that they come to understand their Domesticks and Familiars, and at last, any Body. Here in the end I add, that most of the Letters may be formed, as well by inspiring as by expiring, which thing I have very much wondred at in some Persons, who _speak out of the Belly_: And once at _Amsterdam_ I heard an old Woman speaking both ways, and made answers to her self, |
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