After reading "A Man Without Words" I realized that being able to speak and communicate through language is a valuable ability, but without it one can still develop and function. Before this book, I only knew of deaf children, and of adults who weren't born deaf or could get treatment and implants. In psychology classes I learned that the brain did most of its development in the childhood stages and that language was almost impossible to acquire later in life, as well as the nature and nurture of a person's environment guiding their development.
             Ildefonso was deprived of language but was still able to communicate with others in his position. His deaf friends and he showed language isn't needed to develop qualities like compassion, a sense of right and wrong, and creativity. Even though they were poor and considered "dumb," they still strived to succeed and better themselves. Ildefonso showed an incredible understanding of people and the world without any languages as well as learning sign language.
             Ildefonso was able to communicate with his friends, but without language he wouldn't have been able to educate himself nor share his story with the rest of the world. For Ildefonso, language was a double-edged sword; it showed him that he missed many opportunities, but it also allowed him to be himself and express himself. I think the garden that Ildefonso made with the sundial was the ultimate testament to language's power, because it allowed a man who watched from the sidelines all his life to stand up and express himself to everyone.
             ...