Picture this: a cute little baby looking up at you. What is the first thing young parents try to teach this little person? It comes before walking or potty training . . . the answer is words. Babies start the process of word formation with phonation, then cooing and gooing, which leads to babbling, and finally morphemes and lexicons (words) [whole/ parts]. Why is it that such an emphasis is put on learning words? Words are really just a combination of sounds that carry meaning only to those familiar with the sound combination [definition]. But these unique sound combinations make possible the expression of an infinite amount of topics via various different modes of transmission [possible/ Impossible]. Some words are just unforgettable, like: "I love you," "I do," "It's a boy," "mama," "I hate you," or any degree of name calling. The point is, words can be used to reach positive, uplifting ends . . . or not so positive and destructive ends [Contradictions]. But ultimately, words are going to be learned from reliable sources like dictionaries and teachers, or not such trustworthy sources such as friends and T.V. shows [Contradictions]. Therefore, if a parent understands that "the pen is mightier than the sword" [Maxims and Proverbs], then, they recognize their superior role in helping their children learn to effectively and properly use words [Antecedent and Consequences]. The most important understanding we can reach in regards to words are their varying degrees of permanence. Those words whispered to oneself in a reflection or absentmindedly written on a misplaced sticky note may not last a lifetime; but, others that are shouted into a camera, thrust onto the internet, or tattooed on the body itself can last just that long [Degree]. The emotion that charges those words can lead to enhancing its permanence [Cause and Effect]. The moral of the story is, regardless of how effectively or ineffectively you have used your words in the past, you can choose to use them more purposefully and knowledgeably looking forward [Past Fact/ Future Fact].
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Words
Picture this: a cute little baby looking up at you. What is the first thing young parents try to teach this little person? It comes before walking or potty training . . . the answer is words. Babies start the process of word formation with phonation, then cooing and gooing, which leads to babbling, and finally morphemes and lexicons (words) [whole/ parts]. Why is it that such an emphasis is put on learning words? Words are really just a combination of sounds that carry meaning only to those familiar with the sound combination [definition]. But these unique sound combinations make possible the expression of an infinite amount of topics via various different modes of transmission [possible/ Impossible]. Some words are just unforgettable, like: "I love you," "I do," "It's a boy," "mama," "I hate you," or any degree of name calling. The point is, words can be used to reach positive, uplifting ends . . . or not so positive and destructive ends [Contradictions]. But ultimately, words are going to be learned from reliable sources like dictionaries and teachers, or not such trustworthy sources such as friends and T.V. shows [Contradictions]. Therefore, if a parent understands that "the pen is mightier than the sword" [Maxims and Proverbs], then, they recognize their superior role in helping their children learn to effectively and properly use words [Antecedent and Consequences]. The most important understanding we can reach in regards to words are their varying degrees of permanence. Those words whispered to oneself in a reflection or absentmindedly written on a misplaced sticky note may not last a lifetime; but, others that are shouted into a camera, thrust onto the internet, or tattooed on the body itself can last just that long [Degree]. The emotion that charges those words can lead to enhancing its permanence [Cause and Effect]. The moral of the story is, regardless of how effectively or ineffectively you have used your words in the past, you can choose to use them more purposefully and knowledgeably looking forward [Past Fact/ Future Fact].
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I really enjoyed your post. First of all that baby is adorable! I loved how you expanded on the process of word formation to show how complex and important it really is. You also used contradiction to show the importance of where the words are learned. It was entertaining and insightful!
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