Blending Spaces

11 Conclusion

Primary socialization into a speech community by a myriad of processes of incidental and spontaneous learning, mimicking, copying, and taking on the roles of others, be it in play or in social (inter-)action, has a formative effect on the mind of the subject (cf. Chapters 2 & 3). The infant increasingly experiences notions of self, Other, and others through direct interaction with relevant others, such as the mother, father, older siblings, playmates, relatives, neighbors, etc. This interaction, which can be verbal, visual, emotional, kinesic, and/or olfactory, stimulates the infant’s desire to interact more broadly and more efficiently, which results in him or her becoming an increasingly active, effective, and conscious member ...