Lingo

Language is the first step towards civilization. It is the core of everything that we know and understand. We really don't take the ability to speak, read, and write in consideration very often, but it is the foundation of how far human beings have come. Language has a role in everything involving the physical world. The aptitude of the human brain to develop and understand a language, or multiple languages, is a testament to the vast space in our mind that can be filled with knowledge. Reasoning is the clearest cut way to use language. Once you step into the realm of emotion and perception the lines become skewed and blurred. The way language is used in respect to these is different yet vital for comprehension.

Denotation is the direct dictionary definition for a word. The interesting part is that most dictionaries do not have the exact same definition for a word. Nevertheless, they are generally similar and can come to a common consensus. When you use the specific definition for a word it is assumed that those around you will have a fair amount of understanding. This is the way that language is best used in terms of reasoning. There are many words in English that have very closely related definitions. This makes it possible to describe the reasoning for something in a generally easy way. The rawest form of reasoning without any form of personal point of view can be construed to a large audience by simply speaking about it. Writing takes on different meaning even if you just use the denotation of a word. This is where grammar comes in and has an effect on meaning. For example, there are sentences that can be completely altered by a comma. "The panda eats shoots and leaves." This is a sentence describing the vegetation that a panda consumes in its diet. This is greatly changed with the placement of commas. "The panda eats, shoots, and leaves." This makes it seem as though the panda is a gunman in a restaurant even though the denotation of the words is used. This seems to defy any common sense or reasoning, because pandas do not eat in restaurants or carry weapons. This misunderstanding is a result of the fact that English, along with many other languages, has different meanings for the exact same words. This can be confusing at times and may lead to bad comprehension of what is really going on. This may seem like an obscure case, but it may have consequences when these mistakes are made in different situations, such as science reports or court transcripts. Another way language plays into reasoning is in translation. There are more than six thousand known languages in the world. Some of these are only spoken language with no writing system. In every language, there are words, phrases, and ideas that do not translate literally. This leaves the possibility for error in understanding wide open. What becomes lost in translation may never be recovered. This is hazardous in issues of international interaction. If the others' language is not completely understood by one side, than there can be catastrophic misinterpretations. The reasoning of each side may not be effective based on this.



When you enter the world of perception the meaning of words can change. Connotation is the perceived definition of a word. This generally has a social understanding of the word, but it may not always be the same from person to person. There may be a big difference between "slim" and "skinny" for one person but not so much for another. Connotation is where language gets sticky and opens the door even further for misunderstanding. This can be in spoken and written language. When you speak, there is generally a tone to what you are saying. This is a way in which spoken language alters one's perception of meaning. This can be a good or bad change in understanding, but it is nevertheless present. When you write, this tone may become harder to recognize. This is based on an individual point of view of a reading. It may vary from person to person. Once again this can be horrible in different cases. Grammar is a way in which this tone is changed. Grammar and word choice can alter the speed of what is written therefore giving it a different tone or mood. This may not always be obvious, but authors are always trying to make the message they are sending through their work more clear. A lot is put into the way something transcends from the page to the mind. This is possibly lost, once again, in translation. It takes time to understand the difference in tone through script. This is something that many spend a long time learning when you are multi-lingual. The perception you get through language in terms of writing may be more powerful than speech alone. This is something that is individual and can conform to each individual that reads it. This is seen all the time in figurative language that is in poetry. Any type of figurative language can be used to alter the way in which each individual reader understand and interprets the poem. With all this said, it is essential to understand that the key element to what guides perception is emotion.



Emotion is what guides the actions and beliefs of each of the six billion people on the planet. This is the hand behind any thing that goes on in the world. Everything that we hear, see, or do goes through an emotional filter in our brain. This is evident in the way words can cause a big emotional charge in someone. Words like genocide, rape, puppy, or even chicken can cause an emotional roller coaster even if it goes unnoticed the majority of the time. Whatever the reason behind the emotion, it is still there. This usually varies on the background relationship with the word or words. It is hard to know how someone will act based on the terms you use. Politicians look at this when they begin every speech. They play with the words that they know will bring a crowd to their side and steer away from words that they know might incite negative emotions. This is a tool that can be utilized very effectively in terms of persuasion. Language can convince someone of virtually anything. Tone really plays into the emotion of language. Oration is a strong tool in portraying what you want to get across. Hitler was the prime example of how tone can get across your emotion and embed it in others. He was a very morally unjust man, but he understood the power that words can have on people. The comprehension of words get even foggier when you start using words to describe emotion. If it is not already hard enough to predict what emotions will come out based on the words used, it is exponentially harder when you use words to represent an emotion. Emotions are presumably different from person to person, therefore the description of them is near impossible. Love means something different for anyone that feels it. Happiness is different for anyone that seeks it. How then is language reliable in the is area? The obvious answer is that it is not. People have decided that it is necessary to describe everything around them, but in the end it is a fruitless waste of time. It results in a loss of what the emotion really is when you try to put a label on it. Language does not conform neatly to the realm of emotion.