“Linguistic Theft” is not a new concept. Just read, ‘Don’t Believe a Word— The Surprising Truth About Language’ by David Shariatmadari to find out. It’s been around for centuries, and according to Ecclesiastes, it's been around since the beginning of time. But what does this mean, though, and what does this have to do with you and me?
If we think about what people might mean when they use the term, ‘Linguistic theft’ we might see a picture of a jewel thief, of sorts, in our mind stealing beautiful unbleached, complex, and gorgeous words & maybe replacing them with ugly & reversed words with paradoxical meanings… This has classically upset word lovers, and aroused a sinful excitement for elite manipulators who prey on using words as swords against those who fail to understand their power!
Words and language are used in expression. There are other forms of unspoken expression like art, clothes, sports, ext. that all contribute to the release of what we feel deep inside of us, and what beautifully connect us all as humans. But the art of using our words to express the longing or the need to be understood on a verbal level is a weapon so few have learned.
We overuse blanket words that keep us from being able to get to the root of the feelings inside & therefore spend our lives misunderstood and somewhat “lost”, because we have no direction, no next step, and we are left plainly… confused.
There is such freedom in the building of vocabulary to assist us in painting pictures of our stories for others. It connects us and is therefore a tool unlike any other.
Understanding how words are used as swords to divide us from one another and slice our spirits within us into tiny fractions is also a weapon unlike any other… Words are used in convoluted manners to pray on our emotions, telling us how to feel and what to think. I did it just now by using the word “convoluted”… it means ‘twisted or coiled’ and the undertone it gives is that of something tangled or labyrinth-like, something torturous and serpentine. Then I used the word “prey”, which connotes images of wolves in the darkness, hunting the weaker. They both arouse feelings of distrust and disorientation, that muddled feeling deep in your gut that something just isn’t right… or safe.
Words are powerful… They change the way you feel, and your outlook on things.
They are the key to the prison you’ve allowed yourself to be bound in. Therefore as Diane Setterfield once said, “There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, and numb your thoughts. Inside you [if evil] they work their black magic.” But, on the other side of that dark reality, you can change the course of your life with your words. “Beautifully crafted words have the power to captivate the mind [and therefore soul] of anybody.” Sam Veda, and, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Jesus Christ. When our words float from our mouths into the ears of those listening, they tell the story of what is deep inside us, they are a sword and a song and have the power to divide or connect our longing spirits to those around us who are longing also. The gravity of the choice of whether our words will taste like honey or horseradish; slit our listeners in their spirits or stitch them, is entirely up to us.
Now that you have a basis of understanding for the energy they create in yourself and others, what will you do?
Will you dare to be curious? Or settle for the stale daily bread of a barren arsenal of the understanding of vocabulary & therefore a barren understanding of yourself.
Choose instead to feast on the meal just beyond your fingertips. Rise up. Speak life-giving words over yourself and others. Crave more for yourself… nourish yourself & therefore, nourish your world.
You were created for nothing short of this, so hunger for this tool, wield it & live greatly.