VIEUX-FORT COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL A LEVEL DEPARTMENT

GATHERING AND PROCESSING INFORMATION

In partial fulfilment of Communication Studies

Ms. Janique Alfred

17th September, 2019

Nolan Flavien’s approval __________________

The Miracle Worker Playwright William Gibson, is based on a true story is about a life of a

young girl named Helen Keller who was deaf-blind and eventually acquires language. The

purpose of this essay is to highlight the way in which the characteristics of language allow

Helen to acquire language. The characteristics of language are non-instinctive, strictly human

and non-verbal.

Language is non-instinctive this is because it is acquired by human beings. Nobody gets a

language in heritage however is acquired because of one’s innate ability. In the film Hellen

was able to acquire language because of her surroundings after Miss Annie her teacher

brought her to another area where she was able to listen and slowly learned words using sign

language and touching the object she’s touching. Whereas before her parents rewarded her

every time she throws a tantrum instead of disciplining her.

Language is strictly human meaning that only humans can acquire language. Helen being and

a young human girl, at some point in her life she will acquire language.

Language is non-verbal, this is referred to as Communication without the use of

spoken language. Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions or body

movements. In the film nonverbal communication assisted Helen to acquire language as she

was playing with the servants, she feels their mouths, trying to figure out what they were

doing and trying to imitate it as she is interested in wanting to speak. While observing Helen,

Annie could she that Helen will imitate anything to speak, so she used sign language,

however Helen can’t see so she used touch to teach her letters and then imitate after.

In the film “The Miracle Worker” Playwright William Gibson, a young girl named Helen

Keller who was deaf-blind and eventually acquires language by the use of the characteristics

of language which are non-instinctive, strictly human and non-verbal.