Two experiences have made it clear to me that humans don't understand language that well, without context:
(1) Raising a child. My dad often remarks that he's surprised that my daughter knows how to use a word in just the right context. I'm not, because this is a natural product of mimicry: if you copy what others say, you usually use the words in the correct context. As with computer-generated text the exceptions are often hilarious.
(2) Song lyrics. I had a very clear experience where I just could not understand the refrain of Gold Guns Girls. It sounded completely unintelligible until I read the lyrics. After that, it sounded crystal clear. Why would reading the lyrics make the song sound different? Context.
(1) Raising a child. My dad often remarks that he's surprised that my daughter knows how to use a word in just the right context. I'm not, because this is a natural product of mimicry: if you copy what others say, you usually use the words in the correct context. As with computer-generated text the exceptions are often hilarious.
(2) Song lyrics. I had a very clear experience where I just could not understand the refrain of Gold Guns Girls. It sounded completely unintelligible until I read the lyrics. After that, it sounded crystal clear. Why would reading the lyrics make the song sound different? Context.