Languages, knowledge and Advocacy in the young Hellen Keller

Abstract

The article presents, through the analysis of direct sources – some works, letters and speeches by Helen Keller – the development of metacognitive activity in the young years of the writer. It is presented how the lack of functioning of the sense organs, seen and heard, required in her the modification of communication skills and the acquisition of other languages, the manual alphabet, Braille and vocal development obtained with great exercise. These alternative languages have become Helen’s vehicles for thought. At the same time, knowledge has acted as a vector of freedom and social empowerment, particularly for the advocacy of blind people.