Peace.
Someone once told me that knowledge (like love) is in the atmosphere and it cannot be attained, for we have had it all along. That when we learn something we are merely discovering a truth that we already live and abide by. That what we call "attainning knowledge" is actually translating the truth into everyday means of communication. More specifically, Language.
Communication is a very interesting phenomenon. It is what brings us together, tears us apart, and shapes who we are even. If you've ever studied a language before, you've probably realized that the concept of language shapes how we all think fundamentally.
For instance:
Spanish language demonstrates male dominance in there use of nouns and pronouns. Spanish culture is also defined, in a way, by male dominance.
Chinese is a language that utulizes characters instead of words. The meanings and interpretations of certain phrases and words are based more on the strokes that make up each character. The chinese also read from right to left rather than from left to right; which requires more usage of the left brain.
There was a scene in Amistad where Roger Sherman Baldwin had to give Cinque the bad news that they had to try the case again after winning Cinque and his fellow Africans their freedom. Cinque and his interpreter, James Covey, responded, "You said that there would be a judgement, and if we won the judgement we go home free!"
Baldwin was like, "Naw that's not what I said!"
Then Covey was like "Naw, you said that!"
Then Baldwin was like "Naw, I said 'If we win at the state level you can go home' an shit."
Covey was like "Yeah, that's what you said!"
Baldwin replied, "Okay okay!! I said it! But I shouldn't have!"
"Now, what I should've said..."
Covey interrupted, "Naw, I can't translate that. There's no word for should or shouldn't; either you do, or you don't."
In short, language kind of defines us and refines us to a world of barriers in so many ways. Each specific language makes people think a certain way. To me, that is a sad truth because all that means is that there are things that the American man or woman will never have the opportunity to realize. There are truths that our Language keeps away from in order to center us in on the English truth. There are Russians that will never have the insight of an African (and vice versa). And Christians that will forever be shaded from the enlightenment of Islam (and vice versa). All this means to me, is that we live in a capable world that holds itself back through segregation.
Why is it that the phrase, "I love." is considered a fragmented sentence in the English language? Why do I have to add a "you" or "him" or "her" for it to be grammatically correct? Why our we tought lies by our own language without even knowing that we are lying to ourselves?
I cannot say "I love you" truthfully. When the truth is that "I love." simple and plain. Why is love portrayed in the dictionairy as "a warm attachment...or devotion" when those two words represent bonds that require two seperate entities? Love is not shared, it is within. That is a truth that I have ALWAYS had and abided by. So why is it that my Language won't allow me to express that truth?
Along with others...
A lie can only be spoken, but never revealed. Nor lived, nor felt. Those sensations are reserved for the truth. Which is what we live, and never what we speak.
