115 – Language v2

My thoughts about language filled me so much, I split those thoughts into two walks. Click here for the original. Also, thanks for the birthday greetings on the previous walk, and for sharing a bit of your personal heritage.

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

There are many aspects of human language – so many that I think the complexity of our language is one of the reasons humans differ from other organisms on our planet.

We use language to describe our reality – sometimes simply – other times as abstract or through imagination. Our language is a complex tool beyond the mere use of communication – but a sophisticated tool for solving problems, inspiring others, sharing memories, expressing emotions, thoughts, reflections, and more. 

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Our language is the words that create imagery – that mental picture that one can see or even feel without being there. Some of us have the gift of writing words that create images in others. 

Eyes seem to have their language. Some people focus on the eyes of the speaker or listener for a message because the eyes are the windows into a person’s thoughts. The eyes have a universal language with many interpreters. 

Language can be a whistle, bells, symbols, icons, signs, emojis, and more – all designed for communicating – all delivering a message.

Other senses are involved with language. Braille communicates words through touch. Morse code through hearing. Signing through sight. 

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Computing and IT use specialized languages involving symbols, rules, and equations as code – let alone the binary language composed only of zeros and ones.

Mathematics is a language expressing and explaining through numbers and units. Then one can transform the numbers into graphics for a visual expression – possibly noting trends. Mathematics and programming team together into the world of algorithms. The language of mathematics is demonstrating its power in today’s data-driven world. 

Music may be the greatest language in the world. Even if one does not understand the singer’s words, music moves the listener because they know good music when they hear it. After all, the language of musical lyrics carries messages that poetically touch souls. Through the language of music, a composer tells a story without words through instrumentals, overtures, concertos, and symphonies. 

The language of visual arts communicates stories and events. Sculptures, paintings, architecture, performance dance, and more communicate thoughts from the artist, but the viewer determines what the artist is saying. Maybe the viewer is the listener; but will they hear what the artist is saying? Will they see the artist’s intention? Will they interpret the same or something different?  

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DNA is the language of molecular genetics – a language that also defines us through a story of heredity and evolution with only four letters. Plus, its application continues to grow. Let us not forget that DNA is the language of all living things on Earth.

Let us not forget that language is a way animals communicate with others through unique sounds for danger, mating, identification, and simply hey. Others signal you better think twice about coming closer. Yes, that is in their DNA and learned.

Language is more than a tool. Language displays what it means to be human along with the depth of the human spirit. Could Language be one of humanity’s greatest achievements? Maybe the greatest?

The layers of rocks tell the story of our geologic past through its language. Structure and ecological relationships among living things also tell a powerful story. Who would have thought that so many languages surround us?    

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Through its actions on the surface and the way it washes ashore, many who enjoy the beach say that the sea tells stories, conveys messages, and expresses emotions. We stand on the shore looking out to sea trying to decipher the language of the sea – and wondering about its stories – especially the ones taking place below the surface that is one way – but not the only way. 

The language of the sea – the language of the wind – the many languages of nature – the different languages of humanity – we have much to interpret.  These are good thoughts to ponder as I walk on the beach. After all, I like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about Language

• The Language Barriers (an essay)
• Language of Love (a poem)
• Body Language (a story)
• Music is Language (a poem)
• Universal Language – a poem (yes, a poem)

Next Post: Culture – Tuesday 23rd February @ 1 AM (Eastern US)