Words are beautiful. You can build and play with them. Words can create, form and reform meaning. They can also confuse and destroy meaning. Words can destroy the meanings of words. Words are a part of this bigger system, language.
"Language is a thick, pressurized substance, an atmospheric event comprised of words, expressions, metaphor, rhythm, tones, tropes, textures, tenses, noises, nuance and nonsense."
"Incredibly complex systems turn out to be governed by few and very easily comprehensible rules, where the complexity is totally invisible until the system is examined as a whole."
As this system is invisible, most of us take language for granted.
However, it is not until there is conflict or miscommunication if you will, that the system surfaces and its fragility becomes self-evident.
"It is now agreed that the effectiveness of the acts that may convert the message into text (including speaking, writing, drawing and physical movements) depends upon the knowledge of the sender. If the sender is not familiar with the current language, its codes and its culture then he or she will not be able to say anything at all...")
The questions which arise then, are the following: How simple is language really?; How effective are words?; What happens if you use another word in place of the one that seems most logical?; How does the wrong word affect the whole sentence?; Is it then considered a mistake?; Has it done damage?; If language is your tool for communication, is it the ultimate tool? Miscommunication happens often as a result of misused words.
Here again: "Inevitably and necessarily, the culture that produces language also confines it. Left to its own devices, it can quickly break through boundaries meant to hold it in. Inherently promiscuous, language is divided by a fragile barrier separating carefully contained expression from the perverse screams of a madman. Belonging to another language and another culture, it is this delicate boundary that the non-native student is not in a position to fear nor respect."²
