Language: The Bridges and the Barriers

Verse of the Day:

Revelations 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Throughout the genesis of mankind, language has served itself as a two edged sword. On one end, it is the vocal and written means of how two like-natives of the same tongue communicate, and on the opposite side, it stands as a wall between two differing natives, unless a translator is provided. In the art of literature it is important to take note of such a delicate matter and use it to the advantages of broadening and strengthening our minds and potential allies in the industry. How?, you may ask:

Well, for starters, we can acknowledge and respect that although English is a dominate tongue it isn't the universal. Let's focus on the Barriers of Language and how they can be conquered:

1. The disrespect and disdain of any language aside from English

• There was language before English and twice as ancient in it's origins and those who spoke it. The Bible itself along with other articles of spiritual text were all derived from the early mother tongues of Hebrew, Greek, Basque, Tamil, Farsi/ Persian, Chinese and Lithuanian among those known to us. With that being said, I believe it would serve us as a society, some good to do a bit a research on the origins of language and use it as an avid learning tool and means of use in our own personal works.

2. Those who don't speak English as their first language having a difficult time in grasping the concept with very few people who are able or willing to assist them.

• I've heard on more than one occasion that English is a difficult language to learn and at first it baffled me because I myself grew up not knowing any other way of speaking, HOWEVER, it would make sense that it would be alien in the ears of someone who wasn't familiar with it at all and would therefore be in need of someone who knows their language as well ours to build that bridge of connection. Providing a means of translation and resources to learn a native tongue is far more beneficial than harsh ridicule for not knowing. We all had teachers and ignorance is not a state of stupidity but an opportunity to discover something new.

3. Language being weaponized as a means to divide and belittle.

• I believe I speak for everyone when I say that life is hard enough without there not being a way to gain understanding from each other. We need to help each other, across platforms, professions, and personal status. Being open to expanding our own language barriers while being respectful of cultural and social differences will help us build bridges across nations, countries and maybe even worlds. :)

4. Lack of exposure to non-verbal communication.

• Sign language and brail are two of the most evolutionary means of communicating without the use of verbal ques for those who can't hear or see. I taught beginner sign for my preschool students alongside French and Spanish. Language has a way of going beyond what we say and translated into what we do.

"For the love of life and literature, stay prayerful, stay positive and write on!"