Language is an amazing tool. Using
nothing more than the muscles in our tongues, throats, jaws and
cheeks, we can send thoughts to each other. Not just simple ones,
either, but big, complex thoughts that should require big complex
communications in order to accomplish.
More than that, by modifying exactly
how we say a single word, in tone, pitch, stress, and context, we can
give it whole new meanings. Add in facial expressions and body
language, and the potential concept-space for a single word becomes
enormous.
There are examples. You've seen them
used in essays a thousand times. Examples are not what I intend to
bring.
No, I intend to bring motivation.
Language is the single most powerful
tool we have, as humans. It is what got us off of the savannas and
into the world. It's what put us at the apex of the macroscopic
world (sorry, but insects and bacteria really do rule the Earth).
It's what got us to the Moon, and it will take us farther.
It's what makes lust turn to love.
It's what makes “huh” turn into science. It's what makes war
turn into peace. It's what makes the rock turn into roll.
Use your language. Explore it, embrace
it. Learn big words and small ones, and use them. Learn slang,
lingo, jargon, patois and patter. Let the words drip off of you into
the street to see where they go.
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