“The Picture” (Jer.15:19-21)[Reflections On Nicholas Ostler's Book, Empires Of The Word - A Language History Of The World, Harper Perennial, 2005 - Chap. 2 Plus] [and Photography Series]

The sum of thought this author brings to light,
Expressed in starting chapters is quite right –
“A language carries in its structured ways
Much of its past, while in the present plays.”

A language-group has stories, points of view;
Traditions, and perspectives, judgments to;
The temper of the mind each user holds
Is shaped by speaker’s language, like a mold.

Clichés and inspirations, views of world;
The way the speaker frames the thoughts he holds;
Analysis of what transpires in life
Is colored by the words which shape her sight.

The culture’s language holds its maps, and songs;
Its histories, and precedents belong
With recipes they used to cook their food –
Both taking acts above one’s current mood.

Some metaphors come easily when use
Is made of each linguistic form we choose;
For states of mind, reflected in the set,
Shape attitudes to others, and can let –

Some ancient bias, good or bad, appear
In what we say, subconscious thus made clear;
The old teach younger learners language-first;
With yarns and morés fill the minds that thirst.

So “Native speakers” set the judgment bar –
Proficiency thus measured, shows how far
A newbie has adopted frame of life
Of language-groups’ assumption, “We are right!”.

With language, groups can act, and tell, transmit
Collective actions; show what they resist;
But don’t be fooled – no sentiment is deep,
For money, power, guides what people seek.

So if prestige and freedom elsewhere lie,
You’ll find folks follow trade, don’t stay and die;
If it’s not hard to speak another tongue,
Such folks will learn another ’fore they’re done.

Persuasion is the way a language spreads
(Or not) for in this book the author’s said,
“Attraction”, “Ease of learning” are the key
To how persuasion triumphs over thee.

What constitutes persuasion? “Freedom’s rise”;
“Prestige” that rises like incoming tide;
And “Access to the world of trade” for those
Who learn the language, subtleties then know.

A language-group can grow organically,
Like farmers breeding cattle – family
Is base of every culture ’neath the sun –
That’s true though members shrink down just to one.

Sometimes groups interact with neighbor-tongues;
Aggressively absorb the weaker ones;
But sometimes loser’s language wins the day,
So which will last is always hard to say.

Migration, infiltration (big and small
The size of group arriving, that is all
The difference here); diffusion clicks in, then
Takes over (that’s the Internet and pen) –

Accounting for its in usage in a land
’Till “Lingua franca” label can withstand
The scrutiny of purists, thus be seen
As useful language – stripped down, lean and mean.

So what I’m hearing in this intro piece
Is language ebbs and flows, it’s movements cease
When last one using it turns out the lights
On it, as it drifts off into the night.

But let’s go back to Eden’s fabled start –
What to did we leave the day when we embarked
On this expansive ocean of such speech,
While You, O Lord, desired to each one teach?

Our language-choice today is driven by lust
For money, power, prestige, amidst the fuss
Of daily living in this swirling sea
Of other members of humanity.

But once we shift to life on Kingdom-layer,
And seek for guidance in a life of prayer,
How can our twisted world-view, burned right in,
Be useful as new life we now begin?

Our languages we view as neutral turf,
Untainted by past choices on the earth;
They’re not – so how can we leave off the past,
When it’s embedded in our thoughts, and casts –

It’s constant shadow on our daily bread,
In hearing Scripture as its daily read?
And on our praises, thanks, and gratitude,
Poured forth from deepest self, not platitude?

“It’s okay, Stu, press on – it all comes clear
‘Awareness’ is first sign that changes near;
Just like ‘Art therapy’ – make photos first;
That gets it out, then sort the best from worst.

“That’s why I wanted you to language drop,
And take once more the way which you’ve still got
To speak your heart, but edit it at first
To clean it up from trash – for people thirst –

“For word from Me to make out day by day;
Like Jeremiah – speak the words I say
Into their lives – that gives Me room to act;
Like St. John picture – do some more of that”.

Okay Lord, thanks for this.

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