Our last Optimism post was about framing. One of the most overlooked aspects of framing is language or more specifically, metaphorical language. The metaphors you use (including idioms, cliches, and non literal usage of words, such as "take a break" or "a game changer") permeate every aspect of your life. They cause you to frame things in this way or that, dictating how you think about certain topics and deeply influencing the formation of your beliefs and opinions. They can make or break you. ;-)
This will be relatively short and to the point, there are entire books with scientific studies on this topic so feel free to do your own research on the impacts of language and metaphor.
Language is metaphors
Language is, to a large extent, entirely metaphorical. The word "rain" isn't actually rain. It's a sound and a set of symbols which represent rain. This may sound like a really subtle, insignificant detail to focus on but it helps us realize that words are imperfect and that each person has their own understanding and associations connected to each word.
When I say the word "rain", most people probably think of water that falls from the sky, but they also may have different emotions tied to the word, based on their experiences, their culture, and the connections they've made with the word. Someone may first think of a drizzle while someone else may be reminded of a flood where they lost their home. I may subconsciously recall sayings or cultural references like "it's raining cats and dogs" or "it's raining men" or the happy image of "just singing, singing in the rain". I may also imagine the face of the Korean pop star, Rain.
Language is a framework for how you think
Because we are social creatures who have become accustomed to speaking and listening almost constantly, it's very hard to think without language. It's not impossible but, chances are, you have to make an active effort to do so. So what language you are raised in, what languages you learn thereafter, and how you grow accustomed to understanding and using your language become a large part of your thinking.
A simple example would be the word "brother". Do you have an image in your mind? Is it an older or younger brother? If you were raised speaking Chinese or Japanese, you wouldn't have to ask that question, there are separate words for "older brother" and "younger brother". In English, "big brother" refers to a surveillance state. In Chinese "little brother" could mean your younger cousin or a younger friend who is like a brother. It's also a cute way of saying "penis". These connections permeate the way we think, consciously and unconsciously.
Fun, right?
Traditional metaphors, slang, idioms and word choice
All words are metaphorical but we could say that some are more metaphorical than others. The more a word deviates from its original meaning, or the more it deviates from person to person or place to place, the more metaphorical we can consider it. The meaning of words is malleable. Avril Lavigne would be considered "punk" by exactly no one 30 years ago. "Conservative"and "liberal" have very different meanings than in the past. Now, the word "like" might conjure up thoughts of social media.
Some metaphors are so deeply ingrained into our language that we don't even realize they are metaphorical while others are cliches that stick out like a sore thumb. Some of these idiomatic metaphors and sayings can contradict each other, leaving us to choose which we want to subscribe to. Here are some examples of a variety of metaphorical language from cliches to euphemism to social concepts.
Stick out like a sore thumb
Time flies when you're having fun.
My life is in pieces.
You are my everything.
I'm tired as hell.
There are other fish in the sea.
Battleground states
Social Darwinism
A vicious cycle
Enough of your bullshit.
Networking
Expanding my horizons
He passed away
Going steady
One night stand
Sweet spot
Picking and choosing your language
Metaphors make language fun, but your word choice can either weigh you down or set you free. They can tie you to certain ideas and "trains of thought" (I'm becoming more and more self away of the metaphors I make, would you have caught that if I didn't put it in quotations?). They can expose your beliefs as well as limit your potential.
You may find that words with negative connotations affect you in a rather unpleasant way. Experiment with your metaphors and word choice to see how your ideas and emotions change. I made a conscious effort to get rid of all wording that wasn't in harmony with how I saw the world and found myself much clearer about what I believed and less susceptible to outside influence,
As you attempt to adjust your framing to become exactly who you want to be, take a look at what metaphors you use and think about if here are any that you might want to get rid of or at least keep in check. Try and look through your writing and find all the metaphorical language. It's everywhere! Feel free to share your findings in the comments.
My articles are written mostly from personal experience but I have skimmed through two books about metaphors that I found interesting.
I is an Other by James Geary - very in depth look at metaphors, including a look at many studies on metaphors and language.
Clean language by Wendy Sullivan & Judy Rees - a method of therapy and coaching focused on metaphors created by the patient.
Join the "Be Awesome" community
The Be Awesome discord chat, was created with the intention of making deeper connections with fellow steemians. If like my posts and want to talk about similar topics and make friends, join! If you have just one nice conversation, isn't it worth it?
We now have a language practice room as well. Described here
This is a great post - keep it up - I can use this for my GED language arts reading class. Thank you/ Resteeming and following
Wow, what an honor, make sure they all add me on steemit and patreon ;-)
This gem of a post was discovered by the OCD Team!
Reply to this comment if you accept, and are willing to let us share your gem of a post! By accepting this, you have a chance to receive extra rewards and one of your photos in this article may be used in our compilation post!
You can follow @ocd – learn more about the project and see other Gems! We strive for transparency.
yes, of course, anything for you my love
Haha, awesome. :D
Excellent post.
For me the main benefit to learning a second language, finally, after rejecting the idea for all of my early life, was you get a second brain. And that's always handy.
Yes, a whole second brain, a second way of looking at things, a second way of experiencing and creating life.
And that is awesome.
If I could be of help on the Spanish learning channel let me know. I am super fluent, although you know how educated one must be to speak castellano in an educated way.
But I believe I have plenty to offer newcomers, although a shocking aussie accent, that impides conversation with low patience listeners sometimes.
Anyhow, impressive post dude, or awesome as you would say.
Exactly! You get a second brain. That's a great way to put it! I feel like a different person when I speak different languages. I think the different languages allowed me to really reach my true potential because I created myself in those other language and made a blueprint for who I wanted to be and then brought that person back to my native English self.
Join the chat for sure!
Gerat writeup!
In my profession (law) semantics, logic and how you present your case is paramount to being successful. Legal terms often have a specific meaning and connotations that is very different from how the rest of society uses them. This is often causing problems for laymen trying to enterpret law texts and such.
Well said, language can be fun and stressful. breaking down their meaning and the interpretation of their meaning when communicating. Which is also different when speaking then writing.
Also, I take into account how each word typically has 1 meaning. Where as the Hebrew language, like other languages, have words containing multiply meanings depending on its context. Which you might have already addressed in part 1. I shall go read and find out.
Would you consider posting the previous post (part 1) and the next post (Part 3) at the top or bottom of your posting? I think it would make it easier for readers to follow later on.
Thanks for sharing!
My languages are all starting to get mixed up. I can still speak English well but sometimes I forget that certain sayings don't connect in English and I have to stop myself from saying them.
I'll add the link in a bit, I spend so much energy on writing posts sometimes I get lazy about formatting.
I agree with you about mixing up languages. It is so much fun speaking to someone that speaks all the languages you do because it frees you from restricting yourself to one. Also, it is very entertaining to see other peoples reaction to your conversation.
Formatting is no fun, but do it for us please!
@whatamidoing you already know that I'm one of your fans here on Steemit...
Growing up in a bi-lingual home is confusing as a child because I don't know the what right words to say when interacting with people outside. Bcoz of that, when I enrolled in grade school, I seldom talk. I just expressed myself by writing a diary.
Fast forward today, I turned to be the opposite of who I was. I talk a lot now. My older sister said, sometimes I don't think before I speak. I'm so straight-forward, no-filter. And that puts me in danger sometimes.
Now, if I'm gonna pause and reflect. There's a lot of metaphors that I need to get in check or get rid of. I just need to be conscious in choosing my words. Again, thank you for this great article. You made me think a lot. lol
P.S. I don't have internet earlier so I'm downloading Duolingo just now. :D
Bilingual kids are in a really interesting situation. They are learning two cultures at the same time, two ways of thinking. Apparently it takes a longer time for them to become fluent but I think when they do they have a special advantage of two perspectives. What languages did you grow up with?
In the Philippines, we speak fluent Tagalog and English. I also speak a local dialect called Ilocano.
Btw, I'm on level 2 in Japanese on my duolingo phone app. Level 1 on Spanish in duolingo desktop. I think I should focus on 1 language first, and not at the same time. It's confusing. I want to learn Spanish first. :))
Ok I thought so but I wasn't sure if your parents were from two countries or not.
come practice in he chat! I'm going to be a little lazy about it but I'll get around to it before the week is over
They're both Filipinos but they have their own local dialect: Bisaya and Ilocano.
I'm already on level 2 Spanish. It's pretty easy coz we have a lot of Spanish words in the Philippines. In case you don't know, the Spaniards colonized my country so they have a big influence in our culture.
One big example is Catholism. Some of our food is also in Spanish like Manzanas, Arroz Valenciana, etc. We borrowed a lot of words from them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_loanwords_in_Tagalog
Sure I will practice in the chatroom later. I just have to go out today to fix my stuff. Talk later! :))
Come to my class and replace all of my language teacher for real !
It amazed me how there are so many people like yourself in this community explain this particular topic better than my professors.
Also, when you mentioned " rain" above, It reminded me of a short story titled " cat in the rain" by Ernest hemmingway. It was about a couple having holiday to Italy.The rain was indicating a downfall between the couple and I remember the professor mentioned something about war too.
But a question, If we write a metaphor, can people disagree or agree with our interpretation?
Of course you can debate the meaning of a word or metaphor but I don't know if it's very productive to debate it, more productive to try and understand anothers understanding of the word to broaden your understanding even if you don't adopt that meanings
I'm impressed!!!! Way to go!
@whatamidoing
Great post sis! Speaks so much to be true to yourself and others!
nice bro!