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58 [fifty-eight]

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58 [otteoghalvtreds]	Kropsdele

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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.	J_g t_g_e_ e_ m_n_. Jeg tegner en mand. J__ t_____ e_ m____ Jeg tegner en mand. ___ ______ __ _____ Jeg tegner en mand.
First the head.	F_r_t h_v_d_t_ Først hovedet. F____ h_______ Først hovedet. _____ ________ Først hovedet.
The man is wearing a hat.	M_n_e_ h_r h_t p_. Manden har hat på. M_____ h__ h__ p__ Manden har hat på. ______ ___ ___ ___ Manden har hat på.

One cannot see the hair.	H_r_t k_n m_n i_k_ s_. Håret kan man ikke se. H____ k__ m__ i___ s__ Håret kan man ikke se. _____ ___ ___ ____ ___ Håret kan man ikke se.
One cannot see the ears either.	Ø_e_e k_n m_n h_l_e_ i_k_ s_. Ørene kan man heller ikke se. Ø____ k__ m__ h_____ i___ s__ Ørene kan man heller ikke se. _____ ___ ___ ______ ____ ___ Ørene kan man heller ikke se.
One cannot see his back either.	R_g_e_ k_n m_n h_l_e_ i_k_ s_. Ryggen kan man heller ikke se. R_____ k__ m__ h_____ i___ s__ Ryggen kan man heller ikke se. ______ ___ ___ ______ ____ ___ Ryggen kan man heller ikke se.

I am drawing the eyes and the mouth.	J_g t_g_e_ ø_n_n_ o_ m_n_e_. Jeg tegner øjnene og munden. J__ t_____ ø_____ o_ m______ Jeg tegner øjnene og munden. ___ ______ ______ __ _______ Jeg tegner øjnene og munden.
The man is dancing and laughing.	M_n_e_ d_n_e_ o_ l_r_ Manden danser og ler. M_____ d_____ o_ l___ Manden danser og ler. ______ ______ __ ____ Manden danser og ler.
The man has a long nose.	M_n_e_ h_r e_ l_n_ n_s_. Manden har en lang næse. M_____ h__ e_ l___ n____ Manden har en lang næse. ______ ___ __ ____ _____ Manden har en lang næse.

He is carrying a cane in his hands.	H_n h_r e_ s_o_ i h_n_e_n_. Han har en stok i hænderne. H__ h__ e_ s___ i h________ Han har en stok i hænderne. ___ ___ __ ____ _ _________ Han har en stok i hænderne.
He is also wearing a scarf around his neck.	H_n h_r o_s_ e_ h_l_t_r_l_d_ o_ h_l_e_. Han har også et halstørklæde om halsen. H__ h__ o___ e_ h___________ o_ h______ Han har også et halstørklæde om halsen. ___ ___ ____ __ ____________ __ _______ Han har også et halstørklæde om halsen.
It is winter and it is cold.	D_t e_ v_n_e_ o_ d_t e_ k_l_t_ Det er vinter og det er koldt. D__ e_ v_____ o_ d__ e_ k_____ Det er vinter og det er koldt. ___ __ ______ __ ___ __ ______ Det er vinter og det er koldt.

The arms are athletic.	A_m_n_ e_ k_a_t_g_. Armene er kraftige. A_____ e_ k________ Armene er kraftige. ______ __ _________ Armene er kraftige.
The legs are also athletic.	B_n_n_ e_ o_s_ k_a_t_g_. Benene er også kraftige. B_____ e_ o___ k________ Benene er også kraftige. ______ __ ____ _________ Benene er også kraftige.
The man is made of snow.	M_n_e_ e_ a_ s_e_ Manden er af sne. M_____ e_ a_ s___ Manden er af sne. ______ __ __ ____ Manden er af sne.

He is neither wearing pants nor a coat.	H_n h_r i_g_n b_k_e_ p_ o_ i_g_n f_a_k_ p_. Han har ingen bukser på og ingen frakke på. H__ h__ i____ b_____ p_ o_ i____ f_____ p__ Han har ingen bukser på og ingen frakke på. ___ ___ _____ ______ __ __ _____ ______ ___ Han har ingen bukser på og ingen frakke på.
But the man is not freezing.	M_n m_n_e_ f_y_e_ i_k_. Men manden fryser ikke. M__ m_____ f_____ i____ Men manden fryser ikke. ___ ______ ______ _____ Men manden fryser ikke.
He is a snowman.	H_n e_ e_ s_e_a_d_ Han er en snemand. H__ e_ e_ s_______ Han er en snemand. ___ __ __ ________ Han er en snemand.

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Does a universal grammar exist?

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