The Impact of Language

The words “ice cream” are symbols. They represent a concept or picture in the mind. The symbols will represent different pictures in everyone’s mind. A sentence is a string of symbols. A string of symbols will represent a series of different pictures in people’s mind.

Everything is a symbol. The nonverbal language of someone’s body will represent symbols. The way a person dresses conveys a construct. The way a person arranges their furniture and decorations are also a symbol.

In any given instance, the concept that a person conveys through the use of symbols is never the same concept that is understood by the receiver. This is the case with words, dress, decoration, or any other symbolism. A constant feedback loop is required to qualify and understand meaning behind the symbols.

Symbols are intersubjective. A person uses symbols to convey a construct. When a person speaks a word, the spoken word formulates a picture in the person’s mind. When a person puts clothes on, decorates a room, or makes a face, the symbol recursively formulates a construct in the person’s mind. A symbol both conveys a meaning and creates a meaning at the same time.

A set of symbols are a language. Everywhere we look, we see language. We see language in the cars we drive. We see language in the photos we shoot. We see language in the look on someone’s face. Everything is language.

Everything conveys and creates meaning. To understand that meaning, a person must be asked what they are conveying. As you ask that person, they will consider the meaning behind their language. This will subjectively impact their conceptualization of themselves. This will result in them formulating concepts about themselves that were not previously developed. This will allow you to be a part of the co-creation of their conceptualization.

The development of the conceptualizations will be guided by the questions that you ask. If you ask questions that require a person to introspectively look for negative meaning in their language, you will formulate negative self conceptions. If you ask questions that require positive introspections, you will co-formulate positive self conceptions. Whatever questions you ask will also shape your conceptualization of the person that you are talking to.