God tests my vocabulary
From now on I'm going to keep a list of words that are not at first clear to me in Godwriting™. Usually, they are simple words, and I'm at first not clear which word God exactly had in mind. Yet, at this moment, I can't think of any of those simple words. That's why I'm going to write down such words from now on.
In this morning's Godwriting, there were two times when I was bewildered by the words I heard. These were not simple words. And, it so happens, these words came from other languages. They have been incorporated into English, yet they are definitely not English words.
The first word I heard that I was unclear on was imbroglio. Although I did not know the meaning offhand, I knew that imbroglio didn't fit into the context and I was sure I wasn't hearing the right word. I kept listening, and it turned out that the word God was saying was impresario. Both imbroglio and impresario, I'm certain, are Italian words.
The sentence was: ...you are an impresario of peace. Impresario made sense. Even though I didn't consciously know the meaning of imbroglio, I knew it didn't fit.
Afterwards, I looked up imbroglio, and learned that it meant an entanglement. Definitely not the word intended.
When this sort of thing happens, it makes me feel certain that Godwriting is the manifestation of a subtle sense of sound. On the other hand, there has been a rare time -- once or maybe twice -- when Godwriting appeared to be a subtle form of memory, as though it were embedded in my DNA. I experienced it as light. But all that is neither here nor there. Godwriting comes as it comes however it comes.
In this same Heavenletter this morning, there was the word crepuscule. This is not a word I use any more than imbroglio is a word I use. Nevertheless, I was quite sure crepuscule meant twilight, and so it does, says the dictionary. And this word, it so happens, comes from the French.
Words are a passion with me. And I love that there is such a richness of languages that we have in the world.
Comments
Gloria, I've been enjoying the interesting selection of words in the HeavenLetters for yrs also, marveling at your rich vocabulary.
You're doing an amazing job with the Godwriting blog and world outreach.
The blog is quite an inspiring mix with many good stories and points relayed, moral questions raised and your fun touch of humor woven throughout. :-)
Your book reviews are always interesting and so well written.
I have chuckled along with you when the comments have rolled in about your "Zen" home. Yes, you have arrived. :-)
With appreciation. Love, Ginger
I am fascinated by the process and nature of "Godwriting". We witness a daily miracle, not inferior to the parting of the sea.
Yes, 'imbroglio' and 'impresario' are Italian words. 'Imbroglio' means cheat, fraud, but also a tangle, and in this sense we might be a 'tangle of peace'. 'Impresario' is better though, meaning a producer.
I must confess that sometimes I've got nervous about the richness of the vocabulary God and you, Gloria, use in Heavenletters. I've been complaining to God about this, especially when I was in a hurry, while translating a Heavenletter and having to stop several times to look for some unknown (to me, at least) words in the dictionary. I do understand that this enriches my own knowledge of English, but it's annoying when the rest of the Letter is flowing fluently and I haven't got so much time to translate.
But I don't intend in any way to try to limit God, so help me God! That would be truly foolish of me. May God's Word be done!
I'm more aware of the idioms that God uses. They are quite often contemporary American and I often picture translators scratching their heads or their readers doing the same.
One that sticks in my mind was the expression "making a basket". Did this bring out a picture of someone tossing a big ball thru a hoop up high with a net hanging from it or a picture of someone sitting on the ground weaving a container out of lengths of some plant material?
God sure makes us go through hoops!
Gloria, you are an empresario of words. I'd give up ice cream to read your blog. However, tonight I have been blessed with both. Your writing and icecream! Whiskey & nut chocolate, dulce de leche and granizado.