How do/did people who never learned a language think?

Question

How do/did people who never learned a language think?

In: 1738

Answer 1

Something close but perhaps similar

Heard it on a podcast https://radiolab.org/episodes/91725-words

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Man_Without_Words

> Within a few minutes of introductions, it became clear to her that Ildefonso did not understand her signs as a form of communication, but he diligently copied Schaller’s movements hoping to derive some meaning. Ildefonso seemed to see Schaller’s signs as commands more than representations of abstract concepts, and for several days appeared to make no progress. It was not until Schaller began signing the word “cat” to an imaginary student that Ildefonso suddenly understood her attempt to communicate meaning, at which point he began to cry.