Is it possible to memorize the whole dictionary?
Wikipedia has an article on eidetic (photographic) memory:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_memory
There is a man called Kim Peek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Peek) who has memorised almost 10 000 books. He is an autistic savant and was born without a corpus callosum.
For most people though, it's better to learn and understand the meanings of words than to try to 'learn a dictionary' off by heart. That way you don't have to mentally flip through the dictionary to find the meaning of a word when you need it.
>>>Is it possible to memorize the whole dictionary?
Why would anyone do that? Did you have to learn the dictionary of your native language in order to speak it? Or grammar books for that matter? It's this misconception that you need to consciously study the meanings of words and the structure of language that is is responsible for generations upon generations of innocent kids languishing in language classes and never learning anything. So unless you are a linguist there is no need to learn dictionaries and grammar directuries by heart.
"He is an autistic savant and was born without a corpus callosum."
What's a corpus callosum?
Yes, I've heard that autistic people have some special abilities that "normal" people don't. I saw a movie about an autistic guy who could memorise the whole phone book in a few days.
I saw Kim Peek (I think it was him) on TV a few months ago.
When reading a book, he reads the left-hand page with his left eye and the right-hand page with his right eye, in a few seconds. He has at least 90% recall on everything he reads.
Vytenis said
"It's this misconception that you need to consciously study the meanings of words and the structure of language that is is responsible for generations upon generations of innocent kids languishing in language classes and never learning anything. "
Interesting. Then how do you learn languages?
It's the art of learning without learning, kind of like Bruce Lee's "the ard'a fighdin' widout fighdin' "
Well, yeah. That kind of thing :) Basically, picking up a language naturally as opposed to drilling grammar rules, learning dictionaries by heart and similar nonsence stuff. Using conscious study to make adjustments but not as a basis of language learning. Taking language holistically, not atomistically. Seeing language as a plant that grows, not a building that has to build brick-by-brick in our heads. Too much time, nerves, energy, money and what not has been wasted on this "building" and all we got are generations of people who say: "well, i did have ....-ish at school but I cannot speak it"
A friend of mine decided to memorize the whole Oxford dic but he only managed to get to 'B' :D
Just choose a small dictionary with simple sentences for beginners! At your own risk!
Hello! My best friend is en Hungarian autistic savant: Seth F. Henriett.Her book has published in 2005 March. The title is: Autizmussal önmagamba zárva (Closed myself with autism). It is fantastic and beautiful and very-very good book! Seth F. Henriett is Hungarian autistic genius (savant).
I am proud of her!
She likes write, make a photos, make a grapics.
And Seth F. henriett won XIII. International Literature Competition, in 2001. (Than she was 20 and half years old.)
She was on television, with Friderikusz Sándor, who is the most famous Hungarian showman.
Congratulations, my best frind, Heni!
gemmy,
where can we buy her book? any web link?
interesting topic. I am currently in the process of learning how to memorise a deck of playing cards using associative techniques. The hardest part I have found is having a very good imagination to associate all 52 cards with. However, given enough time and dedication, I'm sure it can be done. If any one wants to know why somone would do this, I have only 2 words "Black Jack". (yes I do realize the there is more than one deck being used in black jack games in casinos)