I feel that there are three layers of language. The phonetics and etymology, the modern literal context, and the conceptual association.
I think that part of the reason I feel that language, and the study of language, is important (at least to Me), is possibly because I am maybe a little autistic. But also because I see so many people making decisions and having feelings on subjects that are so heavily influenced by a nonliteral aspect of the language used.
I have arrived at the conclusion over the years that I am excited to see language evolve. Slang, grammar deviations, etc, do not bother me most of the time. But when people dont understand the original, hard meaning of the words they use, or hear, I feel that causes a problem.
So many people, and I know that a lot of people reading this can think of examples where this is true, are swayed in arguments, elections, emotional convictions, general politics of language, because of a lack of understanding of the meaning of words.
Sarah Palin is a good example that most people can relate to. Much of what she says makes no sense unless you are only listening to the associations her words create rather than the meaning, or formulation of the thought.
I think that there are now two meanings for words, and more people are becoming more familiar with only one definition rather than the other.
Wolf is a good example that well enough demonstrates my purpose. Our language uses wolf as a noun: a carnivorous pack animal related closely to our modern domestic dogs. Our language has also, through association and events, learned to use Wolf as an adjective. Any creature which is deceptive, overly sexual, unethical and/or bloodthirsty. A man can be a wolf. Then again, other people use Wolf to describe positive traits. With the rise of totem-spirituality wolf has become a leader devoted to the well being of those he considers close. Nurturing, generous, fierce.
I love metaphor. Poetry allows me to enjoy a part of myself I have recently found too often that I forget to access. But I hate it when people twist language to fit the assigned metaphor MORE than it fits the actual definition of the word. Words are more than artistic interpretive pieces. And the more people start to see words' meanings as their metaphors, the easier it is for corporations, cults, politicians, parents, schools, etc, to manipulate your thoughts through associative language.
Which is why I sometimes wonder if I am slightly autistic. I would much prefer people to understand the language they are using, so that they can know what they are saying. Because if the person speaking to me doesnt know the meanings of the words they use, but only the imagery and reputation of that word, how can I know what they are trying to say? I am a literal person, despite my tendencies to waft off into the spiritual. And an untethered kite is pointless to anyone.
Perhaps it is just a case of this huge nation of english speakers dividing into more separated cultures, and therefore developing languages separately. I just hate knowing that the words I choose to use, whether or not they are literally relevant to the ideas I want to communicate, has more to do with how many people agree with me than the actual ideas I'm portraying. It feels like writing a paper with really well thought out ideas and having the professor send it back because I didnt write it in five paragraph essay format.
I think it's incredibly important that people know their own language in the literal sense. And I think it's silly that there's a notion that because you've learned how to think literally, objectively, scientifically, that somehow the magic is drained from your soul, that metaphor suddenly has no meaning, that you've castrated your connection to the world. That fear, I feel, is what really castrates us. Wrapping yourself up in false logic and inaccurate linguistics only cocoons you. The world is literally, objectively, and scientifically magical and its own adventure. You lose none of that by letting go of some of the sensationalism that so many parts of our culture have been encouraging for the sake of getting their way.
