The Emotion of Language

Simple fact: Writers use words.

If we’re lucky those words connect in a way that produces images in the mind. Even more, we strive to create images that grant emotion, the ultimate in story-telling.  As Tom Stoppard said, “Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.”

But do any of us really understand how a word is born? How do we learn to associate a certain word with a particular action? How is meaning infused into a simple string of characters. How does a single word affect culture? How do we begin to understand the emotion of language?

Here is some remarkable research and data. Hang in to the end if you can, and you will see a truly amazing connection: a single word into image, infused with emotion.

Magic happens when it all comes together. Like reaching the end of a great novel and shedding a tear of grief or happiness.

Sometimes only a single word is needed to sum it all up.

Wow.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE4ce4mexrU]