 |
One
hundred years ago, Dr. W. Hanna Thomson, a physician
in New York and author of “Brain and Personality” (1906)
wrote that “there is much truth in the saying
that a man doubles himself when he learns a new language”.
Many years later, Dr. Matulis addresses exactly that
point, in a most fascinating language experiment
in 1975, with results published in his book: “Language … a
hope”. The experiment itself and its findings
found quick response in the pages of the world’s
scientific press and other publications including
medical textbooks. |
|
What
attracted readers the most was Dr. Matulis’s thoughts
regarding the healing power of human language by
itself and not any part of existing treatment modalities.
More specifically, he showed that by teaching a new
language (foreign language) to mentally ill patients
(chronic schizophrenics) a “new” and
healthier environment was created. Dr. Matulis’s
own words takes us to the core of his thinking regarding
language: “… the language itself can
be used as a unique linguistic medication, with which
one can save the patient from his distressful situation
and return him to mental health. … language
has its own independent healing quality.” |
Furthermore
he stated that … “the human mind can
only be healed by a reflection of itself and its
most direct reflection is the human language. If
one influences or in any manner modifies language,
one will also affect the mind, and change the man.”.
This approach how this step to health was brought
about, came to be known as “Metaglossotherapy”.
This applies not just to schizophrenics, but also
to aphasias of different etiologies, including
strokes and other brain insults to the human condition.
What remains for the
future, is the mystery of how the mind brought
about this benevolent rewiring of the human brain.
One is certain that Dr. Matulis is very much aware
of the discussed relationships between mind/brain,
thought/language and discussions pertaining to
the concept of universal grammar, the world of
quantum mechanics and the concept of bio-feedback.
However, one can only await for that quantum leap
that will redefine language as a radiating force
for the entire humanity. |
To download original
metaglossotherapy study, please |
 |
|
