The Wild Child of Avyron was not able to learn language.
He differed from the many other street children that lived in the streets in those days, in that he had survived, not in town, but in the forests around Avyron.
He was truly a wild child, and aroused a lot of interest! Hence, he was sent to Paris to be examined.
He had no language nor any concepts associated typically with society and culture. A young medical student by the name of Itard received a government grant to try and teach him language.
The challenge was classic. Could a boy near puberty without any linguistic or cultural foundation be taught to speak?
Itard kept an excellent record of his attempts and techniques to teach "Victor," as the boy was called.
Although he was very creative and made significant advances, the effort in terms of its goals was fruitless.
NOTES: A real etching of Victor
NOTES: A real etching of Itard.
NOTES: A scene from the Movie, The Wild Child.