Absolutely true, and we should preserve this ability to think and understand without words for as long as possible. This is a key reason in my opinion why children should not be encouraged to read too early, because then they are reading away every sign post and billboard, leaving very little space for wordless thought in their rapidly developing minds.

In fact, I wonder if Einstein’s inability to speak until almost age seven gave him seven years to develop deeply his ability for complex and abstract thinking during this formative age. So that his brain became hardwired for abstract thought in a fundamental manner?