For people starting to learn English as a second language the difference between words like "bowl" and "ball" or "ship" and "sheep" is pretty hard to grasp, and beginners (and sometimes advanced speakers) often pronounce them in the same way. I see Appollo using different intonations to distinguish "ball" and "bowl", probably not fully understanding the difference between the vowels. I would probably suggest to get back to the basics and teach him a clear distinction between the vowel (aw) and the diphthong (oh) pronounced with the same pitch, and from there move on to the words again and see whether he improves. It'll probably take just a couple of learning sessions. I love to see him improve so much though, already understanding grammar! Can't wait to hear him say "Give me a pistachio or I'll throw bottle at you" 🦖❤
Aw, you can see this frying the poor little birdy's brain. He's spent so long recognizing things by touch and sound, and now he has to change gears completely and recognize them by sight.
Yeah, fascinating to see when he seems to get it though! I wonder if most instances where he gets it right are purely by chance. Either way he'll almost certainly get better at it through repetition and positive reinforcement.
His strategy of "look at Dalton's hand and see what he's holding" is also shot to pieces. Now he has to find things himself. This is _calculus_ for Apollo, but I'm totally rooting for him.
As a non-native English speaker, "ball" and "bowl" sound extremely similar to me, and I wonder how similar they sound to Apollo and if he has more difficulties not switching them up as a result
That probably doesn't make it easier, but he's pretty consistent about calling the little paper cups "ball" and not too bad about calling the colander "bowl," so it's probably more about some combination of how they're smaller, closer to spherical, and more throwable.
I am so impressed by this - your patience and persistence and the way that you offer Apollo an easier task when he's stuck on something. And he's trying so hard to learn - bless him!
I've often wondered about birds eyesight and object recognition. We know their eyes are wide set to be able to detect predators and that their entire bodies are made for flight and life up high/trees, sky. I wonder if they see things by a more quick n dirty object recognition sort of way--i.e thats seed or nut or fruit shaped, that is egg shaped, and things that move need to be scary until proven otherwise. So perhaps the quick scan of objects, like of the paper cup on its side = ball, and unless its actually in the mouth for inspection its hard to discern. As a bird that is preyed upon things need to be triaged into rough shapes at a distance quickly. Super interesting. No doubt all of your hours of footage is likely being scrutinized by scientists ....you're providing free research! lolz.
