Language Art

Photo: Free-Photos/Pixabay

Language is one of the great gifts to human beings. With it, we express those thoughts, emotions, and feelings that would otherwise remain hidden within us. Language is, however, a double-edged sword that can hurt as well as defend. As a race, we are often in disagreement about things, large and small, and tend to stand by our choices and beliefs vehemently, sometimes attacking the opinions of others in defense of what we believe to be right. When we use the gift of language to build up, and not tear down, to display truth and not falsehood, we are making moves toward a more open, honest, and cohesive world.

‘But what about those people who don’t do that? Those people who attack things they don’t even understand fully, just to be difficult, or to make things difficult for others?’ These people are, indeed, with us, and it is frustrating not only to hear their words, but to see and understand that there are those who believe what is being said, not questioning anything, but simply taking it as truth. Which it is not. What to do then? Many will dismiss those others as ‘stupid,’ ‘ignorant,’ ‘uneducated,’ and so forth, but what purpose does that serve? It serves only to further separate ‘us’ from ‘them’ in belief, and it creates a situation where not only is no one listening, but there is no one trying to connect in any way at all. There are, to be sure, those who are doing this to create tension and encourage separation, but this is not using language as a tool to connect, but to divide.

Speaking in languages of respect, help, listening, and love, so that we actually hear each other, especially when we are in disagreement, especially to those who doubt our words and thoughts, is the only way to ensure that some kind of civil discourse can prevail. Even if we finish our discussion still in disagreement, we will have heard what others are saying, what they are thinking, and how they think things should be done. Within those words could be the nuggets of an idea that has not been presented, that actually brings a number of things together, and in most ways, satisfies everyone. If it was not heard, though, how can it be nurtured and allowed to grow into something bigger and better than a single idea or thought presented originally.

To reach our goals as humans, there is a lot of speaking and listening, picking up one idea and discarding another, arguing about the merits of one thing and not the other, and coming to some conclusion on how to best go forward. We face this situation at every age, in every situation, in life and in work, and we navigate it as best we can. Going into these situations, though, with a mind more open than not, can be one of the best things we do…for ourselves. Prepared like this, we are able to listen, perhaps question our own ideas, ask questions for clarity, and discuss how particular ideas might be the best template for what we desire. To use our gift of language to the ways for which it was intended.