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58 [fifty-eight]

Parts of the body

58 [agt en vyftig]	Liggaamsdele

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Does a universal grammar exist?

When we learn a language, we also learn its grammar. When children learn their native language, this happens automatically. They don't notice that their brain is learning various rules. Despite this, they learn their native language correctly from the beginning. Given that many languages exist, many grammar systems exist too. But is there also a universal grammar? Scientists have been studying this for a long time. New studies could provide an answer. Because brain researchers have made an interesting discovery. They had test subjects study grammar rules. These subjects were language school students. They studied Japanese or Italian. Half of the grammar rules were totally fabricated. However, the test subjects didn't know that. The students were presented with sentences after studying. They had to assess whether or not the sentences were correct. While they were working through the sentences, their brains were analyzed. That is to say, the researchers measured the activity of the brain. This way they could examine how the brain reacted to the sentences. And it appears that our brain recognizes grammar! When processing speech, certain brain areas are active. The Broca Center is one of them. It is located in the left cerebrum. When the students were faced with real grammar rules, it was very active. With the fabricated rules on the other hand, the activity decreased considerably. So it could be that all grammar systems have the same basis. Then they would all follow the same principles. And these principles would be inherent in us…

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I am drawing a man.	E_ t_k_n ’_ m_n_ Ek teken ’n man. E_ t____ ’_ m___ Ek teken ’n man. __ _____ __ ____ Ek teken ’n man.
First the head.	E_r_t_ d_e k_p_ Eerste die kop. E_____ d__ k___ Eerste die kop. ______ ___ ____ Eerste die kop.
The man is wearing a hat.	D_e m_n d_a ’_ h_e_. Die man dra ’n hoed. D__ m__ d__ ’_ h____ Die man dra ’n hoed. ___ ___ ___ __ _____ Die man dra ’n hoed.

One cannot see the hair.	M_n_ s_e_ n_e d_e h_r_ n_e_ Mens sien nie die hare nie. M___ s___ n__ d__ h___ n___ Mens sien nie die hare nie. ____ ____ ___ ___ ____ ____ Mens sien nie die hare nie.
One cannot see the ears either.	M_n_ s_e_ o_k n_e d_e o_e n_e_ Mens sien ook nie die ore nie. M___ s___ o__ n__ d__ o__ n___ Mens sien ook nie die ore nie. ____ ____ ___ ___ ___ ___ ____ Mens sien ook nie die ore nie.
One cannot see his back either.	M_n_ s_e_ o_k n_e d_e r_g n_e_ Mens sien ook nie die rug nie. M___ s___ o__ n__ d__ r__ n___ Mens sien ook nie die rug nie. ____ ____ ___ ___ ___ ___ ____ Mens sien ook nie die rug nie.

I am drawing the eyes and the mouth.	E_ t_k_n d_e o_ e_ d_e m_n_. Ek teken die oë en die mond. E_ t____ d__ o_ e_ d__ m____ Ek teken die oë en die mond. __ _____ ___ __ __ ___ _____ Ek teken die oë en die mond.
The man is dancing and laughing.	D_e m_n d_n_ e_ l_g_ Die man dans en lag. D__ m__ d___ e_ l___ Die man dans en lag. ___ ___ ____ __ ____ Die man dans en lag.
The man has a long nose.	D_e m_n h_t ’_ l_n_ n_u_. Die man het ’n lang neus. D__ m__ h__ ’_ l___ n____ Die man het ’n lang neus. ___ ___ ___ __ ____ _____ Die man het ’n lang neus.

He is carrying a cane in his hands.	H_ d_a ’_ s_o_ i_ s_ h_n_e_ Hy dra ’n stok in sy hande. H_ d__ ’_ s___ i_ s_ h_____ Hy dra ’n stok in sy hande. __ ___ __ ____ __ __ ______ Hy dra ’n stok in sy hande.
He is also wearing a scarf around his neck.	H_ d_a o_k ’_ s_r_ o_ s_ n_k_ Hy dra ook ’n serp om sy nek. H_ d__ o__ ’_ s___ o_ s_ n___ Hy dra ook ’n serp om sy nek. __ ___ ___ __ ____ __ __ ____ Hy dra ook ’n serp om sy nek.
It is winter and it is cold.	D_t i_ w_n_e_ e_ d_s k_u_. Dit is winter en dis koud. D__ i_ w_____ e_ d__ k____ Dit is winter en dis koud. ___ __ ______ __ ___ _____ Dit is winter en dis koud.

The arms are athletic.	D_e a_m_ i_ s_e_k_f_i_. Die arms is sterk/fris. D__ a___ i_ s__________ Die arms is sterk/fris. ___ ____ __ ___________ Die arms is sterk/fris.
The legs are also athletic.	D_e b_n_ i_ o_k s_e_k_f_i_. Die bene is ook sterk/fris. D__ b___ i_ o__ s__________ Die bene is ook sterk/fris. ___ ____ __ ___ ___________ Die bene is ook sterk/fris.
The man is made of snow.	D_e m_n i_ v_n s_e_u g_m_a_. Die man is van sneeu gemaak. D__ m__ i_ v__ s____ g______ Die man is van sneeu gemaak. ___ ___ __ ___ _____ _______ Die man is van sneeu gemaak.

He is neither wearing pants nor a coat.	H_ d_a n_e ’_ b_o_k o_ ’_ j_s n_e_ Hy dra nie ’n broek of ’n jas nie. H_ d__ n__ ’_ b____ o_ ’_ j__ n___ Hy dra nie ’n broek of ’n jas nie. __ ___ ___ __ _____ __ __ ___ ____ Hy dra nie ’n broek of ’n jas nie.
But the man is not freezing.	M_a_ d_e m_n v_i_s n_e_ Maar die man vries nie. M___ d__ m__ v____ n___ Maar die man vries nie. ____ ___ ___ _____ ____ Maar die man vries nie.
He is a snowman.	H_ i_ ’_ s_e_u_a_. Hy is ’n sneeuman. H_ i_ ’_ s________ Hy is ’n sneeuman. __ __ __ _________ Hy is ’n sneeuman.

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Does a universal grammar exist?

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