Generally speaking we don’t REALLY tend to read things. If would be too much work. Language is about patterns, repetition, and recognition largely. Once you get past “sounding out” words or struggling through them- you aren’t really reading them any more. You are more recognizing patterns or groups of symbols. That’s largely how those “tricks” with multiple “the” repeated sneak it by you. Your mind assumes there is only one because that is the pattern it expects to see- so you sort of look at the shape of the words and the composition and generally have an idea what you’re looking at.
That is also in large part why “wall of text” is so upsetting to so many. It makes it harder to “preview” what you are reading and easier for your eyes and brain to get lost.
When learning a second (or first language) that’s why simply memorizing words and phrases isn’t considered the best way to do it- you’ll get good at recognizing those words and phrases- but not the patterns that make them up. In time- people tend to notice patterns- so regardless of how a person learns- exposure is a critical component- and why “fluency” is t easily achieved for most without immersion and years of study. It’s also why languages which are very different from ones we know are harder to learn- because our brains are literally adapted to recognize certain types of patterns and “shapes” in language. A leading theory is that the language(s) we speak literally change the way we think and see the world- and it makes sense if you think about it- language shapes the brain and how it processes information.
Language is linked to cognition- you don’t think of the word “Apple” when you see an Apple- that comes after. But your mind does associate an Apple with the concept of Apple and then the word associated with the concept.
That's also why it's been found that people who have learned a second language, have trouble lying in that language. They also tend to be extremely logical when thinking and speaking in a language that's not their first.
Both true and interesting facts! Humor is sometimes “universal” but is often not something that translates well for example. Even if you have the linguistic understanding to get a pun- they tend to not have the same impact to non native speakers- and so much of language is tied to culture or uses a “tent pole” that is a shared element of culture or history. Even someone who knows the reference often doesn’t experience it the same.
This is another one we can see just from a single “language” over time. The feelings of boomers and “greatest” generation about technology, various groups and nations etc were shaped in WW2. The way boomers perceived the war their parents fought in was different than the way gen X saw their grandparents war or the current kids see a war that to them may as well be the civil war. Vietnam in America and what the imagery and history mean- and all the words and slang that come from these wars- words that once identified a person a vet become common slang with lost meanings in only a couple generations or less.
I won’t list them all- but many words- not “slang” or even technical words like “webcam” but actual common words in English- didn’t become words until the late 20th century- but those born into a world where those words exist don’t see them as “new words” but just as words- the same as all the other words that were invented before they were born, wether they were invented 100 years before you were born, or when you were 1 year old- you’ll perceive them the same. Default worlds that were “always there.”
And that goes to concepts. Many colloquialisms in America may reference the “Half time show” (Super Bowl) and of course- these usually mean some huge affair and have a certain emotional or perceptive impact on the listener. Even many outside the USA will get the reference to a degree. But... before 1991 the Super Bowl was sometimes Disney mascots or washed up celebrities and stand ups. Local marching bands. It didn’t become “THE HALF TIME SHOW” until 1993. Anyone born between maybe the mid 80’s and now grew up in a world where the half time show was a big thing. To older folks that isn’t the case. Many traditions from weddings to holidays like Christmas that people take as “age old” are about as old as their parents or grand parents.
I'm disappointed that I read all this in Terezi's voice when Mituna is the more accurate one.