--- In [email protected], "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], cardemaister <no_reply@>
> wrote:
> >
> > --- In [email protected], "authfriend" <jstein@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Probably Asperger's, like I think I myself might be... :)
> > >
> > > Really? You think you are?
> >
> > Someone interested mainly in "dead" languages, like
> > Latin and Sanskrit, probably is. Of course that would
> > depend on the criteria used, but at least according
> > to DSM IV, I quite likely would.
>
> Well, I dunno; most of the characteristics DSM IV
> lists have to do with "live" interaction, so posts
> to an Internet forum don't really say much.
>
> I took a look, and I did see one that doesn't seem
> to apply to you at all, though:
>
> "a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment,
> interests, or achievements with other people (e.g.,
> by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out
> objects of interest to other people)"
>
> You're constantly sharing your appreciation of
> Sanskrit with us!
>
> And I hardly think an interest in "dead" languages
> is a sign of Asperger's. They may be "dead," but
> they're fascinating. There are plenty of
> perfectly normal people who devote their lives to
> studying them.
>
> On the other hand, there are also many accomplished
> people with Asperger's, so it isn't such a dire
> condition in any case.
Well, in my understanding the main criterion of
Asperger's is poor social skills. That's also
the most frustrating feature of my character,
for myself at least. For instance when I listen
to e.g. four or five people conversing during
a family celebration, I feel totally outsider,
because I can't follow the conversation.
Almost like listening to a totally foreign
language. People are laughing at what someone just said, I have
no idea whatsoever what they are laughing at.
And stuff like that.
One might think that's weird, but my possible linguistic
talent is IMO confined primarily to analyzing linguistic
structures. My ability to understand spoken language
seems to be way below average. Especially during my
childhood that lead to lots of awkward situations.
As an example, when I was about 8 years of age,
the principal of my then school asked who wants
to go to the scool that was about a mile farther
from my home, and probably considered a school for
less gifted kids. I raised my hand with a couple
of other boys. I think I did it because
I understood the question the other way round.
The principal probably formulated the question in
such a way that the "stupidest" kids would misunderstand
it. But eventually that was a fortunate thing from
my point of view. I liked the atmosphere of that
"worse" school much better.
The highlight of my stay there was when I, by chance,
managed to make a (paper) model aeroplane ("lennokki") that seemed
to defy gravity. Just kept on flying and flying. :)
http://users.jyu.fi/~mimakole/jopa/linkit.html
But that (understanding spoken language) might have improved a bit
lately. Namely, when I listen to the lyrics of some favourite songs
from my youth, I notice I now understand the contents
of those lyrics somewhat better than I used to. :0
>
