[zkmon]

> First there is a concept, a feeling, an image, and then the words come out to describe it.

Nope. Concepts, feelings and ideas do not exist independent of expression (words, sounds, responses). Humans have the same process as LlMs have. And that's precisely why LMs are able to succeed. Similar to how camera works based on the working of an eye, or how aeroplane works based on a birds wing.

If you still believe that concepts exist independently, imagine a creature that can't express, make sounds, or respond with actions. What exactly is a "concept or feeling" to such creature? Do trees have concepts and feelings? Infact trees could, because they can respond to stimulants.

If you can't describe or perceive a thing, that thing doesn't exist in your world. It's that simple.

What you are describing as "translating thoughts into words" is actually, refining your expression. The expression already exists at the same time as the thought.

[orthoxerox]

My son is insufficiently verbal (he's of the kind that communicates with quotes, but really struggles to express or understand new sentences), and I am quite sure he has concepts, feelings and ideas.

[zkmon]

Ofcourse he has. Because he does express in his own way. He is not struggling to express, by the way. It's your perception that others are struggling. It's like a rich man who thinks that everyone less richer than him are struggling.

But your measure, all animals are struggling to express. No they aren't. You are defining expression from your own, specific standpoint.

The concepts one has, do not exceed their expression abilities. So nobody is struggling.