An Amazing Life
“If I actually dig a hole somewhere, that hole is not just in language, but is actually wherever I dug it. No one can fill up that hole only by using language.”
Somehow, we develop the capacity for language, then we develop language and soon we encounter variations in language and even inconsistencies of language. We encounter inconsistencies between different ways of identifying the same thing, between different patterns of relating, and between our own direct observations of actuality and our own direct observations of language, such as the following statement: these are not words.
Words are the origin of nonsense, of pretense, and of irony. Words are also the origins of labels and claims and interpretations and opinions.
Words and language are distinct from all the rest of reality. In the rest of reality, there is no such thing as a contradiction. Language is the realm of contradictions (and paradoxes).
Words and language are certainly part of our real experience, for words and language also influence attention, perception, and behavior. For instance, when two people (or two groups such as nations) both claim to own or control the same region of land, the contradiction in language is irresolvable within the realm of language. The resolution must be through some other aspect of reality.
The control or linguistic “ownership” of a certain region of land does not originate in language. The label of ownership exists in language but that label is meaningless and irrelevant unless there is practical control or influence or dominance. Posting a sign or notice that says “this is now mine” does not change the locks on a building or remove the inhabitants- whether they are termites or rats or humans.
Control is independent of language, though language can also be a tool for exerting “control” at least in relation to humans. In other words, if I actually dig a hole somewhere, that hole is not just in language, but is actually wherever I dug it. No one can fill up that hole only by using language.
Language is for influencing the attention, perception, and behavior of other people. Language by itself does not lift a shovel or move dirt or fill holes. Language is just a form of human behavior, among many others.
At a certain stage in social development, an individual may think of language as more powerful than it may actually be.
Beyond that stage, one may recognize the precise utility and influence of language, as well as the precise utility and influence of any other form of behavior, including human behavior, but also things like the “behavior” of clouds and solar flares and all other developments.
Language does not change night in to day. Language does not change a hole in to a hill. Language does influence the attention, perception, and behavior of other people. In fact, everything influences the attention, perception, and behavior of other people, including this image below:
Image via Wikipedia
Related articles
- Toddler Language Development (enfamil.com)
- Nonsense (languageandconsciousexperience.wordpress.com)
- Language Myths and Complicated Languages (via Rosetta Stone Blog) (danielhieber.com)
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Tags: amazing, Behavior, human behavior, influence, language, linguistics, perception, reality, Word, words
