Language Rocks!

Language and words are of vital importance in all human relationships. A bold statement to be sure, but what does it imply? How do we use them, why, and how?

We humans communicate with each other in a variety of ways: bodily, sensually, mentally, linguistically. All human communication involves highly evolved and complex processes. To me, language is particularly interesting because it can be expressed both in verbal and written forms, and both are powerful tools in our communication arsenal that we all too often take for granted.

To me, the way we use verbal and written communication is bipolar; both can be either spontaneous or measured depending on the way we use them and/or upon our circumstances. In social conversation, most often the spoken word tends to act as a vehicle for spontaneous communication which reveals our innermost feelings, motivations and thoughts, and reflects what is on the surface of one’s mind. However, in a court of law for example, every word uttered by the officials must be measured, as justice and law depends on semantic accuracy. Largely, this isn’t relevant and doesn’t apply to the tacit rules of social conversation. So, it seems that context has a pivotal bearing on how we use language, written or verbal.

Let’s look at the way we use language in a social way.

Take the phrases “I love you” and “I hate you”, for example. Whether spoken or written, these two simple, yet powerful, phrases differing only by one word, illicit an immediate, emotional response, each poles apart in meaning, and can have a deep and lasting effect on the psyche. How would you feel if someone spoke these words to you right now? Most of us have probably either said or been on the receiving end of each, but our reaction depends on who the person is, and the context in which the words were said, and how they were said. Again, context.

If it’s someone you care about, the words “I love you” will fill you with joy. If you love the speaker back, hearing those special words amplify the love you feel inside and you’d probably say “I love you too”.

But, with “I hate you”, if you hated the speaker, you’d probably say or feel “I hate you too”.

This is interesting because although the words are different, the level of emotional mental response is/can be equal. “Love” and “hate” are extremely powerful words.

To me however, uttered with the utmost depth of sincerity, the words “I love you” is the greatest message one person can send to another, except perhaps, an unknown sacrifice.

Further Reading

For a refreshing look at how language can be used in a positive way, check out Words Can Heal. Or for a spiritual view on language and its ethics, The Unfolding Script of Speech and Language, Part 2.