How and what we think is greatly influenced by the words we use. Often we choose words without thinking - about what they may mean (to us or anyone else) - out of habit, laziness, ignorance, or belief that they somehow "sound better" or are more "polite" and "acceptable" than whatever we really wish to communicate.
Few people carefully choose their own words - not just when communicating with others but also while communicating with themselves (in the "self-talk" of their own minds). But words and their intended and interpreted "meanings" matter - because word usage influences how we and others think, feel, and act as a result.
Few people seem to say what they mean and mean what they say. But words have POWER.
What is or is not said, when, how, and why "makes a difference" - in reaction and results.
"Abra-ca-dabra". We create as we speak - with the words we choose and the meanings that we (and others) give them. Our "word" is "law" - even when we might not want it to be.
Once a word is used, it can't be "taken back"; it can only be explained, redefined differently, or "cancelled" and "replaced" by other words.
Many euphemisms are intentionally misleading attempts to "reframe" perspective/perception.
"Newspeak" and (bureaucratic) "doublespeak" are used to make things more "acceptable": "planned parenthood", "abortion", "pro-life", "pro-choice", "single mother", "healthcare", and "undocumented" being a few examples.
Political propaganda and marketing messages seek to choose for us what to think, feel, and do. Wouldn't it better to choose for ourselves? We can - by "paying attention" to words used - and the "meanings" we choose to give them.
Few people carefully choose their own words - not just when communicating with others but also while communicating with themselves (in the "self-talk" of their own minds). But words and their intended and interpreted "meanings" matter - because word usage influences how we and others think, feel, and act as a result.
Few people seem to say what they mean and mean what they say. But words have POWER.
What is or is not said, when, how, and why "makes a difference" - in reaction and results.
"Abra-ca-dabra". We create as we speak - with the words we choose and the meanings that we (and others) give them. Our "word" is "law" - even when we might not want it to be.
Once a word is used, it can't be "taken back"; it can only be explained, redefined differently, or "cancelled" and "replaced" by other words.
Many euphemisms are intentionally misleading attempts to "reframe" perspective/perception.
"Newspeak" and (bureaucratic) "doublespeak" are used to make things more "acceptable": "planned parenthood", "abortion", "pro-life", "pro-choice", "single mother", "healthcare", and "undocumented" being a few examples.
Political propaganda and marketing messages seek to choose for us what to think, feel, and do. Wouldn't it better to choose for ourselves? We can - by "paying attention" to words used - and the "meanings" we choose to give them.