Speculation on Sign Language Book
Perhaps Sophie's father was deaf and this is why she never learned to read but she was able to speak sign language and relate words to the signs using the book. Any other explanations?
shareYeah, makes sense. I wish they would have just said that in the movie. I was beginning to wonder if she was supposed to be mentally impaired. She acted like she had the mental capacity and emotional instability of a grade schooler, but your explanation is a lot better.
shareI got that same feeling - that sign-language book was from her past in some way, but obviously she didn't do too well in sign language either, since she is completely frustrated after only two characters.
On a lighter note ... maybe it's cause I got caught up in the film very late at night, but I kept thinking of Sophie as a very dark version of Amelia Bedelia. Perfect cook, perfect housekeeper ... but misinterpreting even the simplest communications every step of the way.