Having been forced to watch PopStars during tea-time, I have increasingly heard the word talent being thrown around. It got me wondering what exactly talent it.
Some people display a natural affinity for things and hence become very acomplished at something. Others lack a natural afinity but can learn to do something and become very acomplished - it will just be harder work for them. Finally there are people who simply cannot do something.
For example, take playing a musical instrument. No one is born able to play an instrument - it is something that must be learned. However, those with a natural afinity towards music may find they 'get the hang of it' quicker.
Now take singing as an example. You cannot learn to sing. You either can or you can't - one is simply born that way. You can be taught to sing better, but I don't believe it is something that can be learned. I am completely tone deaf - I can't sing for the life of me, but I can play the drums even if I had to learn them.
So which is
talent and which is a
gift? I would be tempted to say that anything learned is a talent, anything innate (such as singing) is a gift. But then I saw this:
Quote:
tal·ent
n.
A marked innate ability, as for artistic accomplishment. See Synonyms at ability.
Natural endowment or ability of a superior quality.
A person or group of people having such ability: The company makes good use of its talent.
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This totally contradicts my original thought. So if learning to play an instrument is not a
talent (because, by definition, it's not an innate ability unlike singing), then what is it?
Is it a skill instead? I don't know.
This does not have to apply to music either, this can equally apply to such things a sports, playing video games and so on.
Any thoughts anyone?
- S