Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsExamplesDeveloping Verbal Linguistic SkillsReal-World ApplicationsEnhancing These Skills in Kids

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Table of Contents

Characteristics

Examples

Developing Verbal Linguistic Skills

Real-World Applications

Enhancing These Skills in Kids

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Verbal-linguistic intelligence involves the capacity to understand and reason with words andlanguage. People with strong verbal-linguistic intelligence are skilled in reading, writing,listening, and communicating. They are adept at getting their messages across in words and often enjoy doing things like reading books, writing stories, or solving word problems.

“Verbal-linguistic intelligence is the ability to understand and effectively explain concepts through language or words,” explains Courtney Morgan, LPCC, a licensed therapist and founder ofCounseling Unconditionally. “A person with high levels of verbal-linguistic intelligence is able to comprehend and verbally explain things effectively.”

This concept is part of Howard Gardner’s theory ofmultiple intelligences, which suggests that there are several different forms of intelligence based on specific strengths and abilities.Verbal-linguistic intelligence refers to the capacity to understand the nuances of written and spoken language. People with this capacity are great communicators and often excel in writing, editing, teaching, journalism, or law careers.

At a GlanceIf you love reading and writing, are great at word games, and tend to pick up foreign languages easily, then you probably have a high level of verbal linguistic intelligence. People with this type of intelligence tend to do well in school and careers that rely on communication abilities.Keep reading to learn more about the key characteristics of this type of intelligence and how you can strengthen these skills in yourself and in your kids.

At a Glance

If you love reading and writing, are great at word games, and tend to pick up foreign languages easily, then you probably have a high level of verbal linguistic intelligence. People with this type of intelligence tend to do well in school and careers that rely on communication abilities.Keep reading to learn more about the key characteristics of this type of intelligence and how you can strengthen these skills in yourself and in your kids.

Characteristics of Verbal Linguistic Intelligence

Some of the traits and characteristics of people who are high in verbal-linguistic intelligence include the following:

Appreciate the Power of Words

When it comes to psychotherapy, people with this type of intelligence may findbibliotherapyparticularly helpful. Thistype of therapyutilizes literature to help people connect what they read in stories with what they are experiencing in their own lives.

Strong Vocabularies

They also have an extensive and diverse lexicon that allows them to effortlessly inject daily conversations with sometimes esoteric terms that might send others running to the nearest dictionary. Their vocabulary is rich and varied, and they are great at picking up the meaning of new terms based on context.

Love for Reading and Writing

People with high verbal linguistic intelligence are skilled at understanding and communicating with the written word. They are often described as bookworms and often prefer to express themselves through writing (which is why you might find them texting rather than returning phone calls).

Strong Memory for Words, Phrases, and Quotes

People with this type of intelligence are often good at pulling up a specific word, quote, or phrase. For some, this might mean recalling important details of what someone has said or something they read. In other cases, it might mean being able to recite their favorite Shakespearean soliloquy years after reading it.

Their favorite type of games are often word games, puns, or other linguistic puzzles. Wordle, Scrabble, and Words with Friends are just a few that they probably play on a regular basis.

Strong Powers of Persuasion

Because they are so skilled with words, people with this type of intelligence are also skilled at crafting arguments. They are able to utilize their mastery of the written and spoken word to persuade others to see things from their point of view or even change their own perspective.

Examples of Verbal Linguistic Intelligence

Verbal linguistic intelligence isn’t just something that people utilize in academic settings—it’s an ability that suffuses every aspect of a person’s life. For example:

In relationships…

In the workplace…

Verbal linguistic intelligence often gets a chance to shine. From writing reports to crafting emails to presenting during meetings, language skills often give these individuals an edge that helps them stand out.

In everyday life…

Strong verbal and linguistic abilities often translate to hobbies and activities that center on the written or spoken word. People with this type of intelligence might spend their leisure time reading the latest bestsellers and sharing their thoughts with BookTok (the TikTok community dedicated to reading), or even writing their own original articles, fiction books, non-fiction works, blog posts, or poetry.

Verbal linguistic skills are also important when it comes to picking up new languages. Having a high level of linguistic intelligence can be helpful when it comes to grasping the rules of grammar, acquiring new vocabulary, and picking up on pronunciation patterns.

Developing Verbal Linguistic Intelligence

According to Gardner, people often naturally have high levels of one or more of the nine types of intelligence he described. However, there are also plenty of things you can do to nurture and strengthen your verbal linguistic abilities.

She also recommends a few specific strategies that can help people sharpen their verbal linguistic proficiency.

Some specific examples of strategies to build verbal-linguistic intelligence include writing letters to loved ones, listening to interesting podcasts during your commutes or downtime, reading blogs, books, or magazines, and offering to give a presentation at work.—COURTNEY MORGAN, LPCC

Some specific examples of strategies to build verbal-linguistic intelligence include writing letters to loved ones, listening to interesting podcasts during your commutes or downtime, reading blogs, books, or magazines, and offering to give a presentation at work.

—COURTNEY MORGAN, LPCC

Set Some Reading Goals

One of the best ways to develop your verbal linguistic intelligence is to go back to the basics–read, read, read. Focus on reading widely and consume a diverse range of materials, whether it’s books, online articles, poetry, non-fiction books, and essays.

Widening your horizon and exploring different formats, writing styles, and genres can increase your vocabulary and help you gain a greater appreciation for the written word.

Start Writing More

Experiment with different types of writing, including using various perspectives to enhance your ability to communicate in different ways and to different audiences.

Build Your Vocabulary

Work on strengthening your knowledge and use of different words and their meanings. Sign up for a word-of-the-day course that delivers a new term to your inbox daily. You can also try vocabulary apps, flashcards, or desktop calendars that feature a new word each day.

Strike Up Conversations

You can also put your budding verbal-linguistic skills to good use in your daily conversations. Participate in conversations with your friends, family, co-workers, and others. It’s a great way to practice putting your thoughts and ideas into words in a way that is clear, coherent, and meaningful.

Discussions also allow you to learn more about diverse perspectives and opinions, which can further broaden your skills and knowledge.

Join a Club, Workshop, or Class

There are various informal and formal opportunities to broaden your verbal and linguistic skills. Some ideas to consider include:

Using Verbal Linguistic Intelligence in the Real World

Whether you have a natural born inclination toward verbal linguistic intelligence or it’s a skill you’re still working to develop, it’s a talent you’re likely to utilize in many different real-world situations. Some professionals who rely heavily on these abilities include:

Enhancing Verbal Linguistic Intelligence in Children

Parents can also take steps to foster strong verbal linguistic skills in their children. Reading to them is one important way to help build this type of intelligence.

Regularly reading aloud to your kids, and letting them read to you, helps expose them to a diverse vocabulary and learn more about important aspects of language and grammar.

Some specific strategies that can help kids strengthen these abilities include:

Takeaways

It’s important to remember that verbal linguistic intelligence is just one type of strength that you might have. If you are high in this ability, you probably excel in tasks that require verbal abilities, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and language.

Even if this isn’t one of your main strengths, there are things you can do to exercise your verbal skills. Remember, however, that everyone has their own talents. There’s no single way to be smart, so it’s important to recognize your own abilities and strengths. Examples of other types of intelligence you might possess includenaturalistic intelligence,intrapersonal intelligence, andvisual spatial intelligence.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shearer B.Multiple intelligences in teaching and education: Lessons learned from neuroscience.J Intell. 2018;6(3):38. doi:10.3390/jintelligence6030038Al-Qatawneh SS, Alsalhi NR, Eltahir ME, Siddig OA.The representation of multiple intelligences in an intermediate Arabic-language textbook, and teachers' awareness of them in Jordanian schools.Heliyon. 2021;7(5):e07004. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07004Şener S, Çokçalışkan A.An investigation between multiple intelligences and learning styles.JETS. 2018;6(2):125. doi:10.11114/jets.v6i2.2643Scholastic.The different ways your child learns.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shearer B.Multiple intelligences in teaching and education: Lessons learned from neuroscience.J Intell. 2018;6(3):38. doi:10.3390/jintelligence6030038Al-Qatawneh SS, Alsalhi NR, Eltahir ME, Siddig OA.The representation of multiple intelligences in an intermediate Arabic-language textbook, and teachers' awareness of them in Jordanian schools.Heliyon. 2021;7(5):e07004. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07004Şener S, Çokçalışkan A.An investigation between multiple intelligences and learning styles.JETS. 2018;6(2):125. doi:10.11114/jets.v6i2.2643Scholastic.The different ways your child learns.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Shearer B.Multiple intelligences in teaching and education: Lessons learned from neuroscience.J Intell. 2018;6(3):38. doi:10.3390/jintelligence6030038Al-Qatawneh SS, Alsalhi NR, Eltahir ME, Siddig OA.The representation of multiple intelligences in an intermediate Arabic-language textbook, and teachers' awareness of them in Jordanian schools.Heliyon. 2021;7(5):e07004. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07004Şener S, Çokçalışkan A.An investigation between multiple intelligences and learning styles.JETS. 2018;6(2):125. doi:10.11114/jets.v6i2.2643Scholastic.The different ways your child learns.

Shearer B.Multiple intelligences in teaching and education: Lessons learned from neuroscience.J Intell. 2018;6(3):38. doi:10.3390/jintelligence6030038

Al-Qatawneh SS, Alsalhi NR, Eltahir ME, Siddig OA.The representation of multiple intelligences in an intermediate Arabic-language textbook, and teachers' awareness of them in Jordanian schools.Heliyon. 2021;7(5):e07004. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07004

Şener S, Çokçalışkan A.An investigation between multiple intelligences and learning styles.JETS. 2018;6(2):125. doi:10.11114/jets.v6i2.2643

Scholastic.The different ways your child learns.

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