Words

I thoroughly enjoy how, at least in the English language, there are dozens of words that mean the same thing. I know that that is something that people frequently mock the language for, and many people wish the language was simpler and easier to learn, and while on the one hand I can't disagree, on the other I can.

Perhaps this is simply because I am a writer. I spend so much time thinking about words that I have a different outlook on them then other people. That there are so many different words with the same meaning but ever so slightly different definitions, giving them different connotations that ever so slightly change the mood of a scene, I can't help but love those words.

I'm no good at implementing them. Lord knows that, and if you've read any of my blogposts, you probably know that. Hell, even just reading this very blogpost about those words that I love so much, you can tell that I'm no good at using them in any degree. The word counter I use, that judges me every day on the reading level of my writing, reminds me quite frequently that my writing level is far below my age.

But all that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate the strange grace that such a confounding, ungraceful language provides. Sure, it sounds terrible at times, and people butcher the language every other time they open their mouths whether they mean to or not, but there are a rare few who are truly incredible at using the english language, and I think everyone who knows anything about the english language can name someone who does so. They are so skilled at their craft, and they express it so frequently, that they can't help but go down in history for having done so.

On one hand, I do wish that I could be like these people. To express myself on various levels in a single sentiment is the stuff of dreams for me. On the other hand, I don't want people reading my works and attempting to see into the deeper levels of it. Is it a problem to be taking a different story from something than the author intended? Not necessarily. But I would say it is a problem to be reading into something and trying to believe that that was the intent of the story.

That is the biggest downside to our language. The ability for people to miss the point because the words and understanding of those words is not precise enough to get across the intended meaning. But I believe that that downside is well worth all the upsides.