[The languages of pains]
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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Multi-Modal Signals for Analyzing Pain Responses to Thermal and Electrical Stimuli
Published on: April 5, 2019
Abstract:
The plural words "languages" and "pains" emphasize the variety of the conditions and the locations from which pain emerges of the conduction and processing of pain stimuli in the central nervous system, and of the subjective gestalt of pain feeling. The personal expression in speaking, facial expression, gestures, and posture is, like words, a mixture of measurable and understandable elements. The verb "to hurt" should therefore be understood and used transitively and intransitively, passively and actively by suffering and by acting-forming. The concept--called isopathy--of the analysis of the conditions of possible understanding of the affective expressions of a person by an empathic-participating observer and listener should be applied to the understanding of pains in one individual person.
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