Words are not as important as the message.

The way individuals influence other individuals is the main drive of individuality. We build on what we learn from others conciously and unconciously. Words are only symbols they have no meaning, they are most likely to be forgotten by the listener in the short or long term. The context in which they are used are what is important. The overall message is what is important. The imperssion - the way one individual made another feel b/c of their power to express themselfs through words is what is remembered, not the words themselfs.

 

Agreed. You have to understand that there is a perspective other people have of you that you can never really have yourself, but you go forward blindly. Don't compromise that. Don't listen to people who want to put you down. There'll be people out there who will love you for you, and you'll miss them if you aren't true to yourself.

 

a lot of times i feel like words are inadequate to describe what i'm saying,
but then people do get the main drive

but sometimes i think words are more interesting than the meaning,
and the strings and patterns of words are enough to make a surreal meaning of their own, but without having a 'message'

 

However, a message can be communicated so poorly (in in some cases, well) that it gives the exact opposite impression; making words pretty important.

 

it's like how when people talk to me, alot of the time I can't directly remember what it was they said. I can remember their emotions, the emotions of their words and the way they influenced me to feel.

If I try to remember the words they come to me paraphrased, often much simpler.

 

Language is just a tool to control the behaviour of others.

 

Words are just as important as the message, for words mean things; that is to say, there is meaning behind words. Language is how humans communicate with one another, and the words we say can have strong impact on another - good or bad. To say that language is "just a tool to control the behavior of others" suggests one who has a hidden agenda ... because it is strongly indicative of manipulation being behind what they say. Steele - you are right on target - things said to us can and do influence the way we feel. Of particular importance are the things that are said to us when we are children, because we are so impressionable when we are very young. Like, if a child goes to a parent to ask for their advice on a problem at school, and the parent tells the child, "Don't bother me with that! I've got enough problems of my own!" The message the child receives from that is that they are not important enough to bother with - not only do the statements have impact at that time, they will affect how that child feels about himself through adulthood. Children are not experienced enough in life to know that they are important enough to bother with - the same statements made to an adult would be offensive, but probably would not have the life-long impact that they would said to a child or very young adult.

As well, there is more to language use than just the spoken or written word. To take part fully in a conversation we need to take advantage of every clue offered as to a speaker's intended meaning. We need to understand the speaker's body language, the speaker's beliefs about what words mean and the speaker's agenda. By being attentive to another's body language and facial expressions as they talk to us, we can determine the level of their sincerity in what they're saying. Sadly, things are so crazy these days that humans need to have an awareness of this; particularly when conducting business with money-mongering types.
People have become very adept at insincerity, unfortunately; so you must be extremely discerning.

OneOfTheDifference
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"They will never make a perfect heart until they make one that
can't be broken."
....... The Wizard, "The Wizard of Oz"
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So... What you are saying is that language is a tool to control the behaviour of others?

 

Yes, obviously it has no other uses.

 

What other uses are they?

Think very very hard about the statement I made. I mean very hard.

 

I don't think I have a low enough IQ to marvel over such a simple and misled comment.

Words are for communication. This can be used for most anything. To teach, to ask questions, to console, to inspire, to insult, to warn of danger. Yes, the can also be used to mislead and control; but the main purpose of language (and not just verbal or human language) is for cooperation.

 

All of these things you mention affect the behaviour of the receiver. Why would you think I was implying negative control of behaviour? Because I used the word "control"? Get real.

You've obviously given this no thought.

 

Let me break it down like this.

Person A: "What is language for?"
Person B: "To communicate."
Person A: "Why do we communicate?"
Person B: "To influence the behaviour of others."

 

Control and modification are completely different things.

All of these things AFFECT behavior, as any interaction will affect the destiny of that which is being interacted with. Control is to limit all choices of action but your own.

This isn't what you said at all.
You said:

Proving just how wrong this thread is.

 

So I'm going to work with you here on this one, lets work with you on this side, let's take your opinion and say that the sole purpose of communication and words is CONTROL and to INFLUENCE THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHERS- and please, correct me if I'm wrong there....

Even if we all agreed on your statement, wouldn't it still be important then to reach into the depths of the not only vocabulary, but semantics, because we are currently (at least here in America) living in a society that has been so dumbed down by the ease and simplicity of technology that we can't communicate with words because people only know basic baby words anymore in a world of LOLs and BRBs and internet- and people use words incorrectly- therefore- if we are using words to control and influence others - when words are used for debate and to change minds and archaic ways of thinking- isn't that better than what society HAS been doing- using war, violence, and just being numbed out by technology? There was a reason for the phrase, The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword......

Now, you say they cause control, and influence the behavior- control sounds like force or brainwashinbg...influence of behavior is possible- but words inspire thought, articulation, and rebuttle, before influence, and as a personal believer in free will , the individual must first listen to the words and see how they fit with their own views, words must PERSONALLLY CHALLENGE, and then the listener has a choice, to CHALLENGE BACK, or be INFLUENCED, and of course that's just an unending journey.

And now words, like anything else, can be used for control and influencing the masses when it comes to propoganda, which is exactly why it takes the individual to inform him/herself, always question, and always look at everything from many perspectives. But that's why vocabulary, semantics, and not allowing yourself to be fed information, but to constantly challenge yourself and the world around is a neccessity.

 

OK, so you've both had a bloody good go at trying to explain how my statement is wrong. I think you misunderstand my use of the words "control" and "behaviour".

So what is language a tool for if not control of others' behaviour?

 

We've both answered that already. You've chosen to ignore the answers and senselessly repeat the question, instead of rebutting.

You can't win a debate if you refuse to participate.

If you are really correct, tell us how we are wrong. If you are not, stop this charade.

 

The only answer you've given in that respect proved my statement correct.

 

You are demonstrating a number of ways in which behaviour can be influenced and thereby controlled by expression of language. By the way, inspire and influence are fundamentally the same thing, inspire just carries more positive connotations.

What you describe is controlling your own behaviour through the use of your own language on yourself.

 

What CAN"T be used for control? Guns can, food can, drugs can, love can, there isnt anything that CANNOT be used as a vehicle for control in the wrong hands?

Individuals who are lemmings and follow the crowd will always fall into the wrong hands no matter what vehicle is used for control or influence of behavior whether its words or military overthrow or a cult or a con artist or someome who blindly follows anything.