Language Is the Dress of Thoughts

As a language teacher I have always been passionate about the scope of this powerful ability with which we were created: language. This passion has grown as a current student of educational neuroscience. Today I would like to share some ideas on this issue and do my bit to promote awareness of how words can affect our lives and others.

I have chosen the words of Samuel Johnson as the title of this article. He was a very important literary figure of England, considered by many to be the best literary critic of the English language. As I was studying to get my degree in English Language Teaching, his writing led me to meditate on the power of our words. What is within us, is expressed on the outside, like the clothes we dress. Our words are like a letter of introduction to the world around us and those words can edify or destroy, encourage or discourage.

Gladys Aylward, a British-born missionary, experienced the effects of receiving discouraging words first-hand. At the age of 27, Gladys applied to develop her missionary call in China, but the China Inland Mission pronounced its sentence: “she is too old to learn Mandarin Chinese and not smart enough to study theology.” At this declaration, the fire burning in Gladys’ heart did not go out. On the contrary, it continued to grow, and she clung to the voice of God calling her; achieved her goal and became a woman of great impact to the Chinese people.

Death and life are in the power of our tongue and we are all invited to say the right words at the right time.

Did you know that “a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.”? (Newberg & Waldman, 2006). According to different studies from the field of brain science, neurological changes can happen if we change negative statements into positive ones. When the right words are used, a person can feel calmer and less anxious during stressful moments whereas a negative statement can have neurological effects by impacting the amygdala, causing it to release stress neurochemicals that drive you to make many more negative statements. (Newberg & Waldman, 2006). Our quality of life depends, without any doubt, on what we think and what we utter.

What kinds of words are we using on a daily basis? What are they bringing about within us and around us? Let’s embrace reflection and ask ourselves these questions for introspection and to take action.

It is never too late to turn towards more positive thinking and speaking habits to build ourselves and others up.

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