R2D2
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I think Jillio hit it on the head with the internalization process of language bit. That is a very valid point. I developed a passion for reading from five or so on. I used it, if you will, as a surrogate for spoken language to get the tone and tenor of expressive speech while learning spoken language. Basically, I did it in reverse to build up my spoken language abilities. To be clearer on the benefits/consequences of going this route, I was reading college level in 8th or 9th grade and it took me until I was in my early twenties for my speech to catch up especially with the colloquialisms and cultural knowledge of spoken language.
Yes - we were quite similiar then. My mother took me to the library from an early age and I consumed books like there was no tomorrow and still do. I too read above grade level, even though it took me a while to catch up in terms of expressive oral language, particularly colloquial, double meanings etc.
Also when I was at school, I had a daring moment and signed up for a class learning German. After asking me if I felt I could cope, the teachers let me have a go (they were obviously surprised). The first lesson was difficult, as it was all verbal. But from the second lesson onwards, I took to it really well because we started on the written German, which supported the oral German. I ended up studying it for 5 years.
So yes, I would agree with Jillio that literacy supports language and I would agree that if it's a kind of oralism where literacy is not focussed upon then it becomes a problem. The same if signing is taught without enough emphasis on literacy too.