Language: A Part of Communication.
Words, sentences, languages: What are they? How do they affect us, our families, and others with whom we speak daily?
One word—just a single, simple word—can bring a variety of thoughts and influences.
A combination of words can make sense or express foolishness. One word could mean approval or denial, blessing or cursing, doubt or knowledge, friendship or enmity.
The way we say one word, the intonation we use, may cause love or hate.
Words can be harsh, melodious, soft-spoken, announced, or even shouted.
They can roll like a wave and enthuse and bring victory and pride.
Words can be distilled drop by drop like a poison, or eat away like a cancer.
They can be articulated or mumbled; but every time a word is said, watch it, because it can never be retrieved. It is gone with the wind, gone forever.
Usually we select our words, sometimes using a particular vocabulary, and we employ certain words because of their meanings and the connotations that we want to project.
Usage varies, depending on whether we ask, want, pray, persuade, force, influence, or subdue.
Words are a form of personal expression. They differentiate us as well as fingerprints do. They reflect what kind of person we are, and tell of our background, and depict our way of life.
They describe our thinking as well as our inner feelings. But where do they come from, and why is language so peculiar?
It started in the beginning: Language is of divine origin. Only mankind speaks.
Anacharsis, when asked what was the best part of man, answered: “The tongue.” When asked what was the worst, the answer was the same: “The tongue.
”We know by experience, however, what negative words can do to individuals, if not controlled. So when we work to better ourselves, do we think only concerning our attitudes?
What about corrupted language; foul language; slang; and words evoking evil, dirt, and destruction of the body and soul?
The name of Deity is to be used to touch hearts and give light; it is not to be used in vain or to be mocked.
In our home, we do not even allow derivatives of Deity to be expressed, such as: gosh, golly, gee, etc.
We also do not say, “You are a bad boy.
”Instead say, “What you did was bad, we need to work on that,” or “What was done was in poor judgment. What can you do next time to not fall into that trap again?”
We do not allow family member to use words such as: dumb, stupid, racist, ugly, bad, etc.
We even encourage them to be careful to not use repetitious words: like, ya’ know, duh, etc.
Our words define us, set us apart from others, tell others who we are and what we stand for.
Words can get things done, commitments fulfilled, or miracles accomplished.
We may, because of words, be moved to tears or to laughter, feel great or miserable, be exalted or condemned.
Language is divine.
Some may know this but do not realize its implications in their daily family life.
Love at home starts with a loving language.
This need is so important that, without loving words, some become mentally unbalanced, others emotionally disturbed, and some may even die.
No society can survive after its family life has deteriorated, and this deterioration has always started with one word—one single, simple word.
The above is an edited version of the following talk: Language: A Divine Way of Communicating by Charles Didier from the Ensign, October, 1979.
