I have been thinking a lot this week about the words people choose and why they decide on them.
I’ve written before about how words can have multiple meanings, power and empower, and that words matter. But that’s all an oversimplification, really.
Words can build or destroy. They can start and end rivalries and wars. Words can do incredible repairs or irreparable harm. So many possibilities…so much potential for good or ill.
This is why it’s important to think before you speak, write, post online, and so forth. Your words can show that you are a good and worthwhile person – or a stinking turd.
All you have to do is look at the politics in the USA right now. Elizabeth Warren is pointed, precise, and whatever she says or writes is with forethought before it gets out there. Yet some people find her intellectualism off-putting, hard to understand, and probably even scary.
Donald Trump barely tweets or speaks in coherent English. It is astounding that a person in such a position of power lacks eloquence, precision, and frequently a point in whatever he writes or says. And yet some people find him down-to-Earth, understandable, and totally relatable.
Is this proof that words DON’T matter? No. Maybe at this moment, the incoherent patterns of this narcissistic man-child carry weight among his followers and sycophants – bit history will remember this all very differently.
I, for one, look forward to that future being the now. As an optimist, I hold onto the idea that this is but less than a year away.
Before this turns into a complete political rant, let me return to my initial point. The words people choose should not be ignored or disregarded. Why? Because they tell you who that person is.
The words speak volumes (even when written)
I was having a conversation at the office I have been doing freelance work at, and one of my coworkers – not for the first time – commented on my choice of words.
I was not using large, nor antiquated words in any attempt to come across as smarter or better or anything of that nature. They are just the words I tend to use.
As a writer in several different genres, I have developed a rather large vocabulary. Because of my frequent use of a thesaurus I have quite a number of different words in my head applicable to various and sundry situations.
So I tend to use very particular words in specific contexts. From time to time they are not the most common words I could have chosen, but they are still what I used.
The comment from my coworker was not because she was feeling like I was being condescending or otherwise elitist in my word choices – just that she was not familiar with the word I had chosen.
I know people who will drop big, complex, uncommon, and even foreign-language words into a conversation or their writing to come across as more intellectual. Smarter. Better.
In those cases, I have found more than once that the words people choose tended to be rather condescending.
Mostly I think that’s unintentional. But not always.
This is all just another reason why it is important that the words people choose are something to be mindful of. When you choose your words with care that comes across in whatever medium you present them within.
Words people choose show intent
Whether you intend to make a specific impression or not, the words you choose will matter. They will tell people about you, your ideas, your personality, even when you don’t do that intentionally.
I don’t think Trump intends to look like a total ass, just like Warren has no intent to scare people with her intellect. Yet that’s how their words get interpreted and experienced by those that they reach.
I find it deeply unfortunate that intellectualism has come under attack like it has the last couple of decades. It became more important to be rewarded for participation than merit in an attempt to be fair. But that backfired, and now merit is not given proper due, and the mediocre has far more power and influence than it should.
Is that unfair? Yup. As well it should be. I am not calling anyone stupid or otherwise intentionally being insulting here. But what I do want to point out is that it’s unfortunate that a wide swath of modern society disrespects meritorious conduct and behavior because it’s not fair that people achieve.
Trouble is, if everyone just achieves then we never advance. What’s more, without merit there is no reason for growth, change, or improvement.
The words I am using above may offend some people. Perhaps they are cold and could be interpreted as privileged and elitist of me. If you think that, I don’t know that I can change your mind.
All I can do is share the intent behind my words. I am aiming to show that the words people choose are powerful, but not always how they mean them to be.
Consider your reactions
It is really easy to become angry or infuriated over words someone else uses – just as easy as it is to become hopeful and excited by someone else’s words.
Whatever they are showing you via their words, it’s important that you form your own opinion on their intent and meaning. You are empowered to see the words people choose in any way. However, it’s important to look not at just clips and phrases here-and-there, but the whole package.
Take a sentence out of context and you can warp it howsoever you desire. Headlines do that ALL THE TIME. The pundits argue over things well out of context because they want to twist those words to their own ends.
The whole package paints a much broader picture of the intent. When you take that to heart you can see if the words someone is using are intended for good or ill, to build or destroy, or if they are just carelessly employed with little or no thought nor intent.
Finally – I give a lot of thought to the words I choose, but I am still well aware that YOU might see them very differently from how I intend them. Also, I may still cause hurt and damage with them. And, of course, I may choose them poorly and really make a mess.
When that happens – and it will – it’s important to not beat yourself up over it. Don’t get down on yourself and spiral into a negative mindset. Accept that you are only human, perfectly imperfect, and that it happens. Recognize it, acknowledge it, apologize if needs be, and keep going.
The words that people choose really do tell you who they are. Based on the words YOU choose – do you know who you are?
Thank you for taking part in my ongoing journey.
Thank you for joining me, and for inspiring me and my words.
This is the forty-ninth article exploring the creative process. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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