Know thyself is ancient wisdom. Self is your essential being that distinguishes you from others.
Language is a significant part of self. Our history forms our personal development. Our early years are instrumental in our emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social development.
Language development is pivotal to understanding what we experience. As a child, German was spoken in our home and in the homes of our extended family. We were bilingual. “Low German” was spoken in our home, local barbershop and pool hall. “High German” was spoken in Church.
When I was six, my Father said, “We can no longer speak German outside.”
I wondered why. “There is a naughty man in Germany, that’s why.”
“How can one naughty man do that to us?” I asked. I don’t remember the answer.
I still often speak German. Language is formative and culturally instructive. I learned later that the naughty man was Hitler who used language to influence an entire nation. Language is powerful.
If you and your audience do not speak the same native language, find a common language that you both understand.
Your ‘self’ has power in the language you know and use.
Language, gestures, name signing, dominant emotions, spiritual and political insights all trigger our default behaviors. Examples:
- Someone cuts you off on the road, nearly hitting you. You immediately respond to that driver verbally or with a hand gesture. That’s your default.
- Someone brings up the word abortion. You have an immediate visceral response. That’s your default.
- You are complimented. Your response verbally or behaviorally is immediate. That’s your default.
- You put on your shoes. Which one is usually first on your foot? That’s your default.
- You complete signing of a check or credit card statement. Right or left hand? That’s your default.
- You are asked to change political parties; your unexamined default?
- You are charged with being unfair or lying. Your response? Your arms and hands? Your words?
- When dining, you cut your meat with the knife in what hand? That’s your default.
Your defaults can change. It’s a matter of intention, motivation, and need. What defaults serve you well? What defaults cause confusion? What defaults are so habitual that others predict your response? Surprise yourself. Practice new ways of responding.
