Thinking could be described as an ongoing internal conversation. Sometimes we act in response to our self-talk and at other times it remains just that: a private, internal dialogue. It may also become a part of an external conversation with others. Lev Vygotsky refers to this internal conversation as “dialogicality of the mind”.
He suggests that we begin using language as a social interaction tool. Then we begin to think through an internal dialogue, in somewhat disorganized images, sounds, and words based on the experiences we have had in the world and with others. We tell ourselves stories that contain these words, sounds, and images in a random fashion that does not yet have an organized structure. As with a dream, these images carry strong feelings and emotions. Like a dream, it is often difficult to share our story with others without imposing order and changing the story somewhat.
Our dreams or stories are not initially used in a conscious problem-solving process. As we develop and learn more formal language, this self-talk also becomes more formal inner speech.
We all have an inner voice of “self-talk”. What is this voice if you’re congenitally deafblind? What images, sounds and voices exist in your mind? Is that internal process experienced as tactile sensations? What if there isn’t someone with you who knows more than you do about a tactile language and can help you make meaning of your experiences or converse with you?