People may be able to taste words

By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC News

It may be that everyone can taste language to a certain degree

We are all capable of "hearing" shapes and sizes and perhaps even "tasting" sounds, according to researchers.

This blending of sensory experiences, or synaesthesia, they say, influences our perception and helps us make sense of a jumble of simultaneous sensations.

Oxford University scientists found that people associate lower-pitched sounds with larger and more rounded shapes.

One of the team is now working with chef Heston Blumenthal to incorporate words into a new dining experience.

Synaesthesia itself is a rare and unusual condition thought to affect less than 1% of the population.

It can takes many different forms - some people may "see sounds", in that certain sounds trigger them to see particular colours. Others might experience colours while reading those words in simple black text.

But according to Charles Spence, a professor of experimental psychology at Oxford University, we are all "synaesthetes" up to a point.

Hearing shapes

He and his co-author, Cesare Parise, tested 12 volunteers in trials during which an image flashed up on a screen at a slightly different time to one of two tones - one low-pitched and one high-pitched - being played.

There were two sets of image: a large and a small black dot, or an angular and a very rounded shape.

Dots of a certain size match tones of a certain pitch. People associate the low-pitched sound with the larger dot

The volunteers had to say which came first - the image or the tone.

The larger dots and more rounded shapes are perceived to "match" the lower-pitched sounds. And this matching and mismatching affected how well people performed on the task.

"People are better at discriminating which came first when the sound and shape don't match," explained Professor Spence.

"When the sound and the image didn't match, people found it easier to keep them separate," he said. "Whereas with a congruent pairing - a small dot and a high-pitched sound - the participant's brain seemed to bind them together more."

The team also looked at volunteers' "spatial recognition". They played sounds either the left or right of the image, and discovered that people found it easier to work out which side the sound came from if it did not "match" the image.

Particular shapes match tones of a certain pitch. People associate the high-pitched sound with the more angular shape

It seems our brains may use these synaesthetic associations, says Professor Spence, "to combine all of the different sensory cues that are hitting our receptors at any one time".

"If there are lots of other visual events at the same time, for example, if I'm at a noisy party, how do I know which face goes with which voice?" he asked.

"We can match sights and sounds that come from the same position, or those that happen at the same time, but there are problems with this.

"If you think about thunder and lightning - as things get further away from us, the sound of the thunder gets separated from the visual event of the lightning.

"And if I move my head but not my eyes, or move my eyes but not my head, that's going to introduce some misalignment between my ears and eyes - between hearing and vision.

"So this synaesthetic correspondence is a third thing that the brain can use."

The idea of a particular word "sounding" sharp or soft - is not new. But this is the first time it has been shown to directly affect the perception of "non-synaesthetes".

Eat your words

Something that all synaesthetes have in common is that particular tones or words will always elicit precisely the same colours or tastes.

Which one of these shapes is 'bouba' and which one is 'kiki'?

And Professor Spence thinks he can use this to enhance our experience of flavour.

The concept of sharp- and soft-sounding words was introduced in 1929, when Estonian psychologist Wolfgang Kohler designed an experiment that asked people to choose which of two shapes was named "bouba" and which was "kiki".

The vast majority of people choose kiki for the orange angular shape and bouba for the purple rounded shape.

Professor Spence thinks this strange language can influence our taste buds.

Working with world-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal, he is trying to directly combine an auditory experience into a dish.

"We've been giving people dishes and asking them questions about them, including is that food more of a 'bouba' or a 'kiki'? Or is it a 'maluma' or 'takete'?" he told BBC News.

Brie is "very maluma" whereas cranberries are "very takete"

He said that two of the best examples are brie, which is "very maluma", whereas cranberries are "very takete".

"The idea is that you get people to take part in the experiment by giving them two plates of food, and saying 'one of these is a takete and one is a maluma,' but not tell them which is which until they've eaten it.

The team may also, he says, make up a few new tasty-sounding words for dishes at Mr Blumenthal's restaurant. "We haven't decided which ones to use yet."

Those of you who are religiously inclined might wish to practise their daily devotions with the help of the Book of Common Prayer (the liturgical book of the Anglican Church). Here is the evening prayer service for 20 May 2009.

		Evening Prayer from
		*The Book of Common Prayer*
		Wednesday, 20 May 2009
		The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
¶		Introduction

		The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.

		The minister introduces the service

		Dearly beloved [brethren],
		the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
		and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;

		[and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
		the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
		but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
		obedient heart;
		to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
		by his infinite goodness and mercy.
		And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
		our sins before God;
		yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
		when we assemble and meet together
		to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
		received at his hands,
		to set forth his most worthy praise,
		to hear his most holy word,
		and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
		as well for the body as the soul.]

		Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
		as many as are here present,
		to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
		unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:

		(or)

		Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.

		Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.

All		Almighty and most merciful Father,
		we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
		We have followed too much the devices and desires
		of our own hearts.
		We have offended against thy holy laws.
		We have left undone those things
		which we ought to have done;
		and we have done those things
		which we ought not to have done;
		and there is no health in us.
		But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
		Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
		Restore thou them that are penitent;
		according to thy promises declared unto mankind
		in Christ Jesu our Lord.
		And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
		that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
		to the glory of thy holy name.
		Amen.

		A priest says

		Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
		who desireth not the death of a sinner,
		but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
		and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
		to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
		the absolution and remission of their sins:
		he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
		and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
		Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
		and his Holy Spirit,
		that those things may please him which we do at this present;
		and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
		so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

		or other ministers may say

		Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
		to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
		that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
		and serve thee with a quiet mind;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

All		Our Father, which art in heaven,
		hallowed be thy name;
		thy kingdom come;
		thy will be done,
		in earth as it is in heaven.
		Give us this day our daily bread.
		And forgive us our trespasses,
		as we forgive them that trespass against us.
		And lead us not into temptation;
		but deliver us from evil.
		For thine is the kingdom,
		the power and the glory,
		for ever and ever.
		Amen.
¶		Evening Prayer

		The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.

		These responses are used

		O Lord, open thou our lips
All		and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

		O God, make speed to save us.
All		O Lord, make haste to help us.

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
		and to the Holy Ghost;
All		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
		world without end. Amen.

		Praise ye the Lord.
All		The Lord's name be praised.

		Psalmody
		Psalm 104

1		Praise the Lord, O my soul :
		O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious; thou art clothed with majesty and honour.

2		Thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment :
		and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain.

3		Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters :
		and maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind.

4		He maketh his angels spirits :
		and his ministers a flaming fire.

5		He laid the foundations of the earth :
		that it never should move at any time.

6		Thou coveredst it with the deep like as with a garment :
		the waters stand in the hills.

7		At thy rebuke they flee :
		at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.

8		They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath :
		even unto the place which thou hast appointed for them.

9		Thou hast set them their bounds which they shall not pass :
		neither turn again to cover the earth.

10		He sendeth the springs into the rivers :
		which run among the hills.

11		All beasts of the field drink thereof :
		and the wild asses quench their thirst.

12		Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation :
		and sing among the branches.

13		He watereth the hills from above :
		the earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.

14		He bringeth forth grass for the cattle :
		and green herb for the service of men;

15		That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man :
		and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

16		The trees of the Lord also are full of sap :
		even the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted;

17		Wherein the birds make their nests :
		and the fir-trees are a dwelling for the stork.

18		The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats :
		and so are the stony rocks for the conies.

19		He appointed the moon for certain seasons :
		and the sun knoweth his going down.

20		Thou makest darkness that it may be night :
		wherein all the beasts of the forest do move.

21		The lions roaring after their prey :
		do seek their meat from God.

22		The sun ariseth, and they get them away together :
		and lay them down in their dens.

23		Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour :
		until the evening.

24		O Lord, how manifold are thy works :
		in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.

25		So is the great and wide sea also :
		wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

26		There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan :
		whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein.

27		These wait all upon thee :
		that thou mayest give them meat in due season.

28		When thou givest it them they gather it :
		and when thou openest thy hand they are filled with good.

29		When thou hidest thy face they are troubled :
		when thou takest away their breath they die, and are turned again to their dust.

30		When thou lettest thy breath go forth they shall be made :
		and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

31		The glorious Majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever :
		the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

32		The earth shall tremble at the look of him :
		if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke.

33		I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live :
		I will praise my God while I have my being.

34		And so shall my words please him :
		my joy shall be in the Lord.

35		As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end :
		praise thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.


		At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
		and to the Holy Ghost;
		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
		world without end. Amen.

		Old Testament Reading

		First Reading: 2 Samuel 23.1-5 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

	Magnificat

		Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.

1		My soul doth magnify the Lord :
		and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

2		For he hath regarded :
		the lowliness of his handmaiden.

3		For behold, from henceforth :
		all generations shall call me blessed.

4		For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
		and holy is his Name.

5		And his mercy is on them that fear him :
		throughout all generations.

6		He hath shewed strength with his arm :
		he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

7		He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
		and hath exalted the humble and meek.

8		He hath filled the hungry with good things :
		and the rich he hath sent empty away.

9		He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
		as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
		Luke 1.46-55

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
		and to the Holy Ghost;
		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
		world without end. Amen.

	New Testament Reading

		Second Reading: Colossians 2.20 - 3.4 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

	Nunc dimittis

		Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.

1		Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
		according to thy word.

2		For mine eyes have seen :
		thy salvation;

3		Which thou hast prepared :
		before the face of all people;

4		To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
		and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
		Luke 2.29-32

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
		and to the Holy Ghost;
		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
		world without end. Amen.

	The Apostles' Creed

All		I believe in God the Father almighty,
		maker of heaven and earth:
		and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
		who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
		born of the Virgin Mary,
		suffered under Pontius Pilate,
		was crucified, dead, and buried.
		He descended into hell;
		the third day he rose again from the dead;
		he ascended into heaven,
		and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
		from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
		I believe in the Holy Ghost;
		the holy catholic Church;
		the communion of saints;
		the forgiveness of sins;
		the resurrection of the body,
		and the life everlasting.
		Amen.

	Prayers

		The Lord be with you.
All		And with thy spirit.

		Let us pray.

		Lord, have mercy upon us.
All		Christ, have mercy upon us.
		Lord, have mercy upon us.

All		Our Father, which art in heaven,
		hallowed be thy name;
		thy kingdom come;
		thy will be done,
		in earth as it is in heaven.
		Give us this day our daily bread.
		And forgive us our trespasses,
		as we forgive them that trespass against us.
		And lead us not into temptation;
		but deliver us from evil. Amen.

		O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All		And grant us thy salvation.

		O Lord, save the Queen.
All		And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.

		Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All		And make thy chosen people joyful.

		O Lord, save thy people.
All		And bless thine inheritance.

		Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All		Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
		but only thou, O God.

		O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All		And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

		Three Collects are said.

	The Collect of the Day

		O Lord, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.


	The Collect for Peace

		O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
		and all just works do proceed;
		give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
		that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
		and also that, by thee,
		we being defended from the fear of our enemies
		may pass our time in rest and quietness;
		through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All		Amen.

	The Collect for Aid against all Perils

		Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
		and by thy great mercy defend us
		from all perils and dangers of this night;
		for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.

		The order for the end of the service may include:

		¶ hymns or anthems
		¶ a sermon
		¶ further prayers (which may include prayers from here)

		This prayer may be used to conclude the service

		The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
		and the love of God,
		and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
		be with us all evermore.
All		Amen.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.

donderdag 28 mei 2009

For those who love football

Barcelona on Their Soccer Win

Manchester on Losing Against Barcelona

Tasting Words

People may be able to taste words

dinsdag 19 mei 2009

Daily devotions

Psalm 104

First Reading: 2 Samuel 23.1-5

Second Reading: Colossians 2.20 - 3.4

CPE HET STREEK

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