Rymer's linguistic techniques in reporting the Genie case

Genie

In the course of conducting any kind of research project. There are different philosophies and ideas that are practiced. This is because they are focusing on critical areas that are relevant to the project. Yet, they are not helpful in addressing the larger issues. That is impacting the well-being of subjects. (Rymer, 1992)

In the Genie article, this occurred with her being institutionalized and studied more than any other participant. Evidence of this can be seen with Rymer (1992) observing, "It turned out that Genie, who had been so terribly abused, was exploited all over again. She was exploited extrafamilially, similar to intrafamilially. The only difference is there were varying casts of characters." (Rymer, 1992) This is illustrating how a host of events had an outcome on the situation. To fully understand what took place. There will be a review of the article with a focus on linguistics and how the author is trying to influence the reader. This will be accomplished by looking at: Rymer's journalism techniques, why the article was chosen and conducting a critical analysis. Together, these elements will highlight the way linguistics and other factors were used to sway opinions. (Rymer, 1992)

Rymer's Journalism Techniques

Rymer's article is focusing on how Genie was exposed tremendous amounts of hardship and cruelty. At first, this occurred with her father isolating her in a room for many years and tying her up. If she tried to speak out, she was subject to a number of beatings. (Rymer, 1992) When she was discovered, Genie was sent to Children's Hospital. (Rymer, 1992)

This was in order to provide the most effective treatment to Genie. During this process, she became a celebrity and was the intrigue of many within the academic community. (Rymer, 1992) They believed that this was truly a unique event. To find someone who was not exposed to the outside world provided endless research possibilities. As many actuaries wanted to study Genie in order to have a greater understanding of: what factors influenced human behavior, linguistics, psychology and development. (Rymer, 1992)

The results were that she was interviewed by and studied more than any other research subject at the time. Rymer believes that this is a form of abuse. (Rymer, 1992) The way that this occurred, is researchers were putting the interests of the project ahead of Genie's well-being. (Rymer, 1992) Once this happened, is when the results were ineffective by squandering the opportunity to study her development. This led to rivalries and infighting between various academic groups. (Rymer, 1992)

The way that he supports these opinions is to use the notes from Loren Curtis (one the researchers on the project). (Rymer, 1992) This helps him to have a certain amount of credibility (which establishes Rymer as somewhat of an expert). (Rymer, 1992) It is at this point that Rymer will utilize these ideas in conjunctions with certain words to sway readers. (Rymer, 1992)

For example, in the article Rymer will use word such as assertive, spontaneous and confident. (Rymer, 1992) This is designed to show how she was starting to make progress with Rymer saying, "She was, at any rate, exceeding expectations, and in May her progress suddenly accelerated. Her vocabulary quest became more assertive, and her spontaneous (if largely incoherent) verbalizing more frequent. She gained confidence in her movements, and began actively engaging in horseplay. She wanted to be carried piggyback, or to be swung around in the air like a whirligig. She was thrilled when someone holding her pretended to let her drop. A great change from the child at admission who shrank from most physical contact." (Rymer, 1992) This is illustrating how he is taking a one sided view by focusing on Curtis' observations as fact. When this happens, he is supporting the opinions of one researcher over the others. (Rymer, 1992)

To corroborate these ideas, there are many passages where Rymer's language and tone will follow the moods expressed by Curtis. For instance, after Genie had been studied by so many researchers a number of lawsuits were filed. (Rymer, 1992) This is because there were disagreements about: the best way to treat her and the kind of approach that should be utilized. When this happened, Genie's progress came to a standstill. (Rymer, 1992)

In situations that were stressful, she began to regress back into the same habits. (Rymer, 1992) One particular word that is used to describe some of the other parties (such as: Chomsky) is mischievous. (Rymer, 1992) This is illustrating how Rynmer is influencing the audiences' views by making certain individuals appear to have a lack of morals and ulterior motives. (Rymer, 1992) Once someone reads the article, they are slowly affected by these indirect references. (Rymer, 1992)

Moreover, Rymer is arranging the material in a manner. That shows how Curtis is someone who became involved in the case because she cared. Then, as time went by the desire to learn more and see an improvement in Genie's condition began to conflict. (Rymer, 1992) This is achieved towards the end of the article. When he is discussing how researchers learned less from this study than they should have. (Rymer, 1992) These factors are designed to provide the reader with a sense of objectivity by telling the story from one person's perspective. In the arrangement, this creates a sense of sympathy for Curtis' position and appreciation as to what can be learned. (Rymer, 1992)

Aspects of Critical Analysis

In analyzing the article, it is clear that the notes and interviews conducted with Curtis were designed to provide a basic background for Rymer. This tells the reader what happened from her perspective. These ideas are used as the basis for drawing a series of conclusions about the research and the findings. (Rymer, 1992)

According to Rymer, what was learned is that children have trouble understanding language after the age of 12 years old. (Rymer, 1992) This is because they cannot be exposed to sights and sounds in order understand linguistic ideas. Instead, more work and therapy must be performed that will help to enhance their ability to comprehend these concepts. (Rymer, 1992)

In the case of Genie, she learned key phrases and how to communicate. However, the problem is that she was only able to reach a certain level. This made it difficult for her to excel and become independent. (Rymer, 1992) Rymer believes that this is because she arrived at Children's Hospital when she was 13. (Rymer, 1992) This caused her to face more challenges in learning basic skills and how to effectively interact with others. During times when she was fearful, is the point that Genie would regress back into her old behaviors (prior to arriving at the facility). This is illustrating how she was only able to make select amounts of progress. (Rymer, 1992)

Part of the reason for this, is because she was the constant focus of attention. This is based upon the notoriety of her case and a desire to study her by numerous researchers. (Rymer, 1992) The combination of these factors created a situation where Genie was constantly being tested. Yet, no one stopped to carefully determine the impact that this was having on her development. (Rymer, 1992) In the future, these objectives hurt her ability to live independently and interact with the world around her. (Rymer, 1992)

Evidence of this can be seen with Rymer saying, "A child need more than approval. She needs a sense of security, safety and the absolute conviction that she is worthwhile. In this six-year-old body is a thirteen-year-old girl. Talk about a weird kid: Genie was a weird kid. And that's how she was treated by everyone." (Rymer, 1992) This is showing how the focus on studying Genie overruled looking out for her best interests. When this happened, she was treated like a science experiment vs. A human being. (Rymer, 1992) This is what caused her to have trouble learning how to communicate and connect with others. (Rymer, 1992) It is at this point that her growth reached a certain level and then stopped. (Rymer, 1992)

This statement is contradicting the conclusions that are made by Rymer. As he implies that language development becomes more challenging when someone reaches the age of 12. (Rymer, 1992) Yet, he then states how researchers had an impact on her development. In this aspect, one could argue that Rymer is using generalities to support his views. (Rymer, 1992)

As a result, Rymer should have said that most children will have troubling learning to communicate after the age of 12. This is because they will need additional assistance besides being exposed to critical ideas. (Rymer, 1992) At the same time, there needs to be an environment that is safe and supportive to the needs of the subject. (Rymer, 1992) In Genie's case, none of this happened, which slowed her development and led to a plateau in learning comprehension. This would have been more factually accurate. In contrast with, the conflicting statements that is made by Rymer. (Rymer, 1992)