Deeper into language
Your magnificent responses to yesterday's blog entry, More on Languages, have stimulated me to think of more things to say and also respond to some of the interesting points you make. Let's begin with your comments, one at a time. I want to make sure it's clear that I do not have the final word. I will be happy to come near the value of your comments.
Reply from Margaret42 on January 21, 2011
You say “there are so many things I will never know”, but a part of you DOES know them. It’s just blocked to the human mind, but not to the God mind. I myself wish I knew what I said to my beloved as he lay dying in hospital and I cradled his head and stroked his cheek, but I was in a “higher state” and my human mind memory made no record of it. Yet I know that when I pass “onward and upward”, those words will be known to me then. Nothing is ever lost.
Of course, you are right. Quite a difference between the God Mind and the human mind. There is also quite a difference between your wanting to know what your last words to a loved one were and my curiosity to know what someone had said to me in Turkish. The difference is day and night. On this relative plane, I'd love to know the translation. When I go to Heaven, what it would it matter to me at all! In Heaven, are words bypassed anyway?
Reply from One on January 21, 2011
In South Africa there are ~11 official languages and many many dialects. There are unofficial languages, one of which is called funagalo. Funagalo is a mix of several languages and came about from the communication between mine supervisors and miners from different tribal groups.
I enjoy looking at words from different languages and having fun with them…
In Spanish is dolor is pain. Isn’t it similar to dollar?
Peso is the currency in many Latin American countries. Peso means heavy or weight. Lots of pesos might be a heavy burden to carry!
aDios is a common way to say goodbye in Spanish, but what we’re really saying is, “go with God”.
Interestingly many folk use the expression “te quiero”, to say I love you. Te quiero, directly translated, means I want you. “Te amo”, means I love you.
Como se llama? is usually used to ask what is your name - directly translated, it means What are you called which is just beautiful! It’s so unattached and by the way, like we are not in possession of the name.
The shades of meaning!
One, I love "What are you called" as much as you do. Does the name, Dolores, incidentally, come from the word dolor, I wonder.
I have heard the expression from some movie, Via con dios, literally Go with God. That and Adios are much finer ways to say goodbye. And then in India, instead of hello, Namaste is used -- "I see the God in you." If it were common practice to say, Adios and Namaste, all over the world, would the world not be a gentler place?
Reply from Normand Bourque on January 21, 2011
The Tower of Babel
The topic of language is endless. Linguistics have taught us a lot about the structure and evolution of languages in the relative world. There are two major things (in fact there are many more major things) to consider.
1) the formation of comprehensible words as organized sounds needs vowels and stops where vowels are a continuous shaped flow of air and consonants which block the air flow like the keys on a wind musical instrument. And there are less consonants than we think of if we consider that a “p” and a “b” are the same consonants, “p” being a mute or soundless stop while “b” is the same consonant but with voicing. The same goes with f/v. t/d, k/g, etc.
2) There is the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign, which means that there is no natural, ontological or physical relation between a word and its meaning. The word “table” has nothing to do with the physical entity of the table. The proof of that fact is that spanish will use the word “mesa” and german will use “Tisch”.
The science of linguistics, though, cannot say much about the real origin of language. It has not discovered the linguistic Big Bang. And, in fact, even the Big Bang does not explain the origin of the world as we perceive it through science.
Did the split between the word as a sign and the thing that it refers to happen with the invention of ego? The Tower of Babel might be an insight.
I think we need more of God’s Knowledge in the understanding of language. There must have been a “time” where the word (as a combination of sound and light) was the thing it meant to create. But “at that time” it was not a human language but an angelic one and the language was One, without any kind of dialects.
I think a book could be written on the topics you bring up, Normand. I never knew that about vowels being a flow of air and consonants blocking the air flow. Wow!
I'm David to the linguistic Goliath, but I don't agree that there is not a natural relation between a word and its meaning. I remember about the phrase biological progression that I have not been able to find anywhere. Sheep taken from one country and then bred in another become a new breed of sheep, based on the climate, the air, the total environment. The same with language. At one time the people who migrated from England to the U.S. spoke the same English. Now there is a difference between British English, American English, and Australian English. Even within the U.S., different words, pronunciations, and intonations grew within different parts of the country.
Regarding the Tower of Babel, I love that we have different languages all over the world. I love the richness. And I love that the word tongue also means language. Does that hold true in every language?
Obviously, people who speak the same native language do not always understand each other. I don't think the factor is language. If we were mute, we might well understand everyone better! We have facial expressions and eyes. We have intent.
About being mute, my sister Eleanor and I fought tooth and nail. This continued when we were adults. We were almost always mad at each other. Yet one time Eleanor had severe laryngitis and couldn't use her voice. When she couldn't talk, she became sweet. The whole configuration between us changed. How do we explain that?
Does anyone know if the hand sign language -- is it the same in all languages?
I still have more to say. Later.
Comments
Working with the Developmentally challenged for many years I have learned that as long a person can find some way to communicate their needs and feelings all is well in the world. It is when they cannot express what is happening to them that their world becomes one of frustration and anger.
It is so important that those of us who have made a choice to walk this path, are intuitively connected with those who have no voice. In that way, a different language occurs, where you connect at a heart level, and you realize a small glance by the person at the refridgerator can mean they are thirsty and need a drink.
I used to use sign language many years ago, but I don't know if the sign for "milk" for example is the same in different languages. Interesting though, the sign for milk, is the action of milking a cow, or goat.
Coffee is the action of grinding coffee. Tea is dipping your tea bag in the hot water. The sign for yes, is a far gentler action than no. No is very abrupt, while yes is soft and flowing.
Our facial expressions play a big role as well. The person can "read" our face and hands and body language.
And as you were describing previously Gloria, there are those times when we say something that we can't explain. I believe they are God's words, our higher consciouness speaking through us, as our ego steps aside for a brief moment.
Well, Gloria I may not post a comment as often as I used to, but when I do there is no stopping me!
I have noticed more and more people acknowledging another with the folded hands and a brief bow - "Namaste," while saying the words. Interesting.
After my foot injury I could no longer continue working hands on with my clients. My agency offered to create a position for me, that has become a Property Manager position. We own 34 homes, where those with a Developmental Challenge live.
At every turn, I would search for my "purpose" in life. There was a Heavenletter that addressed this, and I don't remember which one it was (not that long ago). Whatever you are doing, it is your purpose, God said.
So I began to think about how many are affected in a day of my life, even though I may not see or work with one of persons that my agency supports.
Just this week, I was shopping at Lowe's for a refridgerator for one of our homes. The Sales Manager was explaining the pros and cons of different products. He has become very attuned to what I do, as I share stories and problems with him. I called the manager of the house that I was buying the fridge for. I asked her what side she would prefer the handle. She wanted it on the oppposite side that would be functional for that kitchen layout. She told me that when one of the ladies (who is in a wheelchair) would like to chose her meal, she needs the door to open a certain way, or her wheelchair will not fit in the kitchen. This way she feels empowered to make a choice, rather than someone making it for her. So that is the side I ordered the handle to be mounted.
When the sales manager questioned the choice I gave him the explanation. I told him that even though this lady may have a challenge, and is non-verbal she can point to what she wants, because she can see into the fridge. He had an ah ha moment and I thought I am making a difference in a completely different way than I imagined. I am educating others through my actions and words.
I was with a painter the other day who was at a day program to measure and provide a quote for us. This was our first meeting. And his first in an environment with people who have a challenge. He stood there in awe, watching the staff and the people. He watched as one of the fellows was rocking back and forth and then began hitting a wall. Then one by one, a few people came over to this painter. A few wanted to shake his hand, others asked him his name and wanted to know why he was there.
He asked me what he should do. I told him to just be himself, and whatever he felt comfortable with. I said you need to be genuine. That is what everyone understands. So he did. He shook hands, said his name over an over each time he was asked, and when the fellow who had been rocking came over, a staff was beside him. She told the painter he was agitated because there was a stranger in his space and he didn't know why. She said he may not speak, but he understands what you say if you speak slowly. So the painter did his best to explain that he was there to fix the holes and paint the rooms to make it a better place for everyone.
Well, suddenly people were clapping, and cheering because they saw him as a friend and helper. The fellow who didn't speak, just smiled and walked away very calmly.
The painter was beaming!
I seem to be attracting contractors and store clerks who have integrity and the heart to help when they can.
All of our contractors give us a lower rate, throw in free items, and always go the extra mile to help us.
As my plumber says "I can make money from the large corporations. And where else can I go that when I walk in the door, someone there recognizes me and knows I am there to help, and gives me a hug."
Yes, I think I have found my purpose.
What a beautiful story you tell. Beautiful from every angle. How happy the contractors and store clerks must be to have a chance to do some good.
And you have found your purpose!
No Comment as I am not lituary inclined. I love your language stories though. I am more into math. and sience. Love you Jack