What's in a word?

[hallenrm]

Lately we have all witnessed some squabbles related to the word religion or fair.

 

That has led me into thinking; What is a word? I have in my library a book by Bertand Russel entitled An enquiry into meaning and truth, a remarkable work indeed! :naughty:

 

A word can mean different things in different contexts, for example, the word Dog can be used positively to ascribe the quality of faithfulness, for a noisy animal, or a despisable beast. It can be used for a nice little poodle or a fierce alsatian.

 

Same is the case with the word religion. As we have witnessed for some it means personal devotion to work and social ethics while for others it reminds of violent clashes between communities based on their faiths.

 

So here we are, let us discuss!:hihi:

[hallenrm]

Let me quote a few lines from the above reference:

 

Before considering the meanings of words, let us examine them first as occurences in sensible world. ......words are of four sorts: spoken, heard, written and read. It will do no harm to assune common sense view of material object, ..... It is therefore possible to amalgamate written and read words, substituting for each a material object - a mound of ink..... The distinction between writing and reading is of course important, but almost everything that needs to be said about it can be said in connexion with the difference between speaking and hearing.

 

This thread I realize has some resonance to thoughts expressed in previous threads related to "political correctness" a phrase that is becomong very popular and hence controversial but I feel it has much wider raminifications, I am trying to collect thoughts, and will keep them posting here, if only to reach a conclusion for myself.

 

Any intellectual contributions are welcome, in fact that's the primary reason for the existence of this thread. ;)

[hallenrm]

Lately I have been wondering, What so special about the word Oum that is ubiquitous in Hindu spiritualism and also in Yoga.

 

Try to utter this word, you will find, that it requires breathing in some air, as one begins with oo, the proccess is terminated. Thus it somehow involves takung in a deep breath, which has many benefits for the mind and the body.

 

So some words have more meaning attached to them, then what is foundin a dictionary, may be the effort that is required to utter them:)