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How does our language shape the way we think
Essay on power of language
Essay on power of language
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A good way to describe the power of language, is to consider the term as the measure of someone’s ability to communicate effectively in a given language. Some may consider this as a skill, or nothing less of a talent, that only a few have conquered. However, what many people do not realize is that as human beings, we are all capable of obsessing this same strength. The reason why some people don’t aim to achieve this type of attribute is because they still consider the power of language as an unspoken mystery. A large number of people do not understand that language holds the key to this very world that we live in. In the Bible text, it recalls how God created the whole world by just speaking it in existence. Philosophers use this same concept, …show more content…
The correct words have the ability to start and maintain a relationship with anybody. The best salesman understands the key concepts to using the correct words, at the correct timing. In an article by Steven Martin, he goes over tips to become a great sales person. Martin noted, Successful customer communications are the foundation of all sales, and the most persuasive and effective salespeople — the ones I call “Heavy Hitters” — naturally speak in the language of their customers.” (Martin, 2010). Martin goes on to explain that if someone wanted to be the best at this game, they were going to have to learn to communicate. Words have the power of life and death. There has been told of stories of people who prevented others from attempting suicide, just from talking the person out of it. There’s even more stories of people who were given strength to step out on faith, just from listening to some encouraging words. So then it must be true that words even have the ability to bring life and death. At many times people do not consider the significances of this conviction. If they did, they probably would be more considerate of how they talk to others around …show more content…
Words have power in different ways. Rather it’s by the mental influence it provides, or the physical use of words. The personal use of words can generate how minor or extreme the situation is. You often hear the phrase, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” This is true in not just American, but all around the world. Words hold feeling over them, along the ability to generate a vast array of emotions. And a lot of time the level of feeling words generate are determined by the emotions attached to them. The phrase “I love you” can be said in 3 ways. Either with feeling, without feeling, or in rage. Do these 3 different attitudes change the words themselves? No, but the 3 different emotions behind these words changes the whole meaning to the phrase, “I love
Language is our power and expression is our freedom. Through a puff of air, we are able to communicate and influence the environments that surround us. Over the course of time humans have evolved, but by the means of language, humans have matured into humanity. The possibility of thought and emotions such as empathy show the ability to think with complexity. A crucial element that helps Suzanne K. Langer’s illustrate the essence of humanity throughout her essay “Language and Thought.” Langer thoroughly depicts what sets humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom by explicitly stating “The line between man and beast […] is the language line” (120). Consequently, this implies that if a person is declined the freedom of language they are hardly considered human. Many people around the globe have had their voices silenced due to corrupt governments and the oppression of their culture. These individuals are subjected to the devastating effects of the loss of language, which in turn, translates to the loss of power. Language is our foundation for hopes and opportunity, for with out it a person is shell of possibility that is subjected to a passive existence.
The mighty river flows through the mountains with liquidity and nurture providing life for all those who wish to take a sip from it. Yet the river is powerful in its own force destroying even the largest rocks, crumbling them into small pieces. People may be able to stop the river for a short time or even dry it up but the water always comes back in one form or another, every dam is bound to fail. Some people have been able to harness the power of the river, redirecting the mighty water making it flow in constructive ways. Similar to the river, language is influential. Its true power is not seen by the naked eye but by those who study it, those who use it as their ally in a war of linguistics. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, Birmingham City Jail he is able to use all three rhetorical appeals to prove that demonstrations lead to negotiations and benefit for both sides of an argument.
Words hold great power and when used correctly can influence what people believe and how they act.
The prehistoric times stand evidence to the power of language as a tool for communication and growth. Language has proven to be an effective medium and factor surrounding the evolution of man. Language has played a big role in the development of individuals and societies. What is spoken and/or written, help in the initiation of imagination, expression of feelings, and conveyance of thoughts and ideas.
Many people believe verbal communication to be a very powerful way of expressing oneself. Words gain there power when the volume is raised and lowered alternatively to make a point. Additionally, the influence of speech can manifest itself in a number of ways. It can be used to humiliate, to intimidate, to flirt and to threaten, all of which are integral and pragmatic strategies to win a power struggle.
A rhetoric analysis can be defined as the breakdown of components used to make a persuasive argument or judgment on a particular subject or topic. The ability to make a conclusion or decision on a given thought or idea in a moment of seconds is a result of rhetorical analysis. “Because media rhetoric surrounds us, it is important to understand how rhetoric works. If we refuse to stop and think about how and why it persuades us, we can become mindless consumers who buy into arguments about what makes us value ourselves and what makes us happy”. In Carroll’s essay “Backpacks Vs. Briefcases: Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis”, she discusses the nature of rhetorical analysis, how it affects our everyday lives and explains the role context plays.
“I also knew that, while I had many things to say, I did not have the words to say them. Painfully aware of my limitations, I watched helplessly as language became an obstacle. It became clear that it would be necessary to invent a new language. But how was one to rehabilitate and transform words betrayed and perverted by the enemy? Hunger-thirst-fear-transport-selection-fire-chimney: these words all have intrinsic meaning, but in those times, they meant something else” (p.
Often of times, many of us speak without giving thought to how our words and the manner in which we speak will affect ourselves or another person. Regardless of how insignificant and harmless a few words and the tone we emphasize may seem, both hold power. In a moment, they have the power to either build up and give life or tear down and give death. In a moment, they have the power to shape and characterize the behaviors and values of both societies and individuals alike. In a single moment, they have the power to span beyond the individual who spoke it and cause, whether good or bad, repercussions that will affect a multitude of generations ahead.
Sometimes we think that words are a way to express what we have on our minds. Right? Think again. Guy Deutscher justifies just that. Our mother tongue does train our brains into thinking a certain type of way, also altering our perceptions of reality. In the NY Times article, “Does Your Language Shape How You Think?,” Guy points out that the mother tongue is Hebrew and leaves us with how we perceive the world. Guy’s protestor, Benjamin Lee Whorf, exclaims that language doesn’t have a particular word for a concept and that the concept itself could not be understood by the speaker. Guy argues that he does not have enough evidence that will substantiate the theory. He claims that Whorf is wrong on so many
Toni Morrison makes a good point when, in her acceptance speech upon receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature, she says, “Narrative . . . is . . . one of the principal ways in which we absorb knowledge” (7). The words we use and the way in which we use them is how we, as humans, communicate to each other our thoughts, feelings, and actions and therefore our knowledge of the world and its peoples. Knowledge is power. In this way, our language, too, is powerful.
Director Steven Spielberg and auther Markus Zusak, in their intriguing production, movie Saving Private Ryan and book The Book Thief, both taking place during World War II. However , in Saving Private Ryan Spielberg focus on a lot of complications that occur during war , but guilt was one difficulty that stood out to me. Zusak, on the other hand , showas that having courage during war can be a advantage and also an disadvantage depending on the situation. Both director and author grabed the audience attention with emotional and logical appeal.
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When you choose your words, you have to consider how they will impact the people you are speaking to. If the words you choose do not impact people what is the point of writing or saying them if they have no meaning. Do you ever think of the impact of your words? First, think of the words you choose that have power and can have an impact on others.
Words are powerful tools of communication and interpersonal skills. Having the ability to communicate effectively is the most important of all life skills. This life skill is most important because it is very essential for building relationships, whether it personal or impersonal; be it verbal or non verbal. It’s a way in which to express ones feelings, thoughts, and
Language is the basis of human communication. It is a cultural and social interaction, and the way language is used is influenced by the circumstances in which it takes place (Emmitt, 2010, p. 49; Green, 2006, p. 2). Children become aware that there are different types of language, including languages used at home, at childcare and at school, as they observe and participate in various language situations (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014, p. 39). Some of these languages may be unfamiliar, and children will need to learn the different roles and uses of language. The different roles of language in a child’s life are, therefore, part of their growing understanding of how to behave in society and in a particular context. As they experience different types and uses of language, children develop an understanding of how to use language appropriately for any given situation.