More on the power of Language

January 19, 2014

A Nova program on PBS last week shared some historical insights in the movement of language around the globe in ancient times. Always intriguing is the historical fact that the more things change, the more they remain the same, or at least cycle around and become or less what they were the last time around. We talk of weather inversions and air clogged air with pollutants as if these incidents were a new problem when in reality they have been around for many thousands of years and in some instances from the beginnings of time.

We were discussing the perspectives of God and His attributes recently. In the NOVA presentation they addressed the many references to some form of deity as far back as any form of language, or communication existed. Mother earth, mythological gods nature’s god are some of the common tabs that have been used to reference man’s innate sense that creation, the universe, the essence of what we are and how we live has significance beyond happenstance.

Perhaps signing may be a usable tool in attempting to better understand how people relate to deity. When I was Career and Placement Director at Utah Technical College/Orem one of my responsibilities was the care and keeping of a fledgling disability center. We hired Elaine Smiley to work on programs that would assist students needing focused attention on ways of improving their chances in at college and in life. A large group of individuals interested in signing and the deaf culture immediately became the focal point of this center. I would watch with amazement as students communicated in their special language – typically ASL (American Sign Language) Students would chat fondly about romance; fiercely about politics, naughty people, and college classes; fervently about God, family, eternity. How did I know what they were saying? Simple! They communicated with their whole being. If a person was talking about a fight they had with a former friend, there would be pounding of fist in hand and wild animation with arms and body. If they were talking about the love of God, warm, tender feelings would emanate from ever fiber of their being.

The noises we make to communicate certainly allow us to share thoughts; however, we would be at a sore loss to communicate spiritually, romantically, or endearingly without meta-communications, or non-verbal language. On rare occasions (well, quite frequently) I will make a comment to my Jean, my  bride of almost 49 years and instead of saying anything, she will get a disheartened, hurt look in her countenance that communicates that I have hurt her. Nothing can take it back. Apologies are shared and feelings of guilt and anguish shared, but the scar is still there. Only time and assurance that all will be well can salvage the eternal love and respect we have for each other.

Many of my students were divorced, sad, humiliated mothers trying to re-enter life after devastating circumstances. On one occasion a young, recently divorced lady came to the door of my classroom with three children in tow. She apologized and said that she would not be able to attend class that day because her children’s sitter was ill and not able to help. I looked around my classroom and assessed that if a couple of students would be willing to double up on computers we could allow these youngsters to come to class as “guests”. We did! Mom was able to attend. The kids were perfect attendees. We all learned much that day as these kids (Autistic, by the way) learned new ways of communicating and we all learned more of how to love and respect those around us. Very little was said, but no one went away without a profound understanding of what life was all about.

God bless you as you love your family, your friends, your enemies, and God

Duane Jacobs, grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend