RJ and the Abstract Noun

Reverend Jim had a breakthrough the other day.

He showed understanding.

RJ was a very deprived cat when we got him. Like humans, lacking a rich environment for experimentation and play can result in a mind that struggles with symbolic concepts.

We might not realize it, but cats use symbolic thinking all the time. They know those fake mousies are fake, and inedible. They know the grocery bag might contain treats, even if they can’t see the treats. They know the suitcase means we might be going away, even though they don’t know where or why.

RJ has learned words like “breakfast,” “dinner,” “hungry,” “Mr. Bond,” and “Puffy.” A while back I had refreshed their water bowl, and had already set the bowl down and was leaving the room when I noticed him, sitting expectantly on the kitchen floor, wanting something. I said, “I just put new water in the water bowl,” as I had many times before.

He looked over at the water bowl. He had learned a new word!

We have made a special point of telling him these things, because, unlike our other cats, he has trouble picking it up from context. Most cats will observe us closely, looking for clues that something we are doing is going to involve them. When we talk to the cats, we give them an opportunity to match our verbal cues with our body language. This is how they learn words.

The other morning, RJ appeared for breakfast. Too early, as usual. I rolled over and ignored him. When he came back at the right time, I greeted him with, “Do you want something?”

Always before, I had taken care to use specific words to help him learn. I was ready to follow up more specifically, but this time RJ reared back and stared down at the floor. This is when he is thinking. He has to work through it. He knew I was telling him something, but he didn’t know what.

But before I could expand on my question, it was as though the sun had come up in his face. He bounced over, all excited. Yes! He wanted something!

“Something” had dawned on him. He had mastered the abstract noun.

I am used to asking the other cats, “Do you want something?” and them showing me what they want. I am not supplying the specifics; they are glad to do so. But until that morning, this question would only puzzle RJ. He was not picking out any words he recognized.

But now he has made the connection between “something” and the concept of something he wants.

I’m sure he’ll be using it over and over again.

Find out more about how the Konfuse-A-Kat dice games are helping all my cats feel close to their humans. I used the game Abstract Nouns to help him with his learning in this area.

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