Capture and Release

Growing up bilingual, I would often get asked in what language I think. I was never quite sure how to answer that question. I always found that the moment I tried to identify the language of my mind, I would unintentionally begin thinking in either German or English. It is not unlike if I ask you how often you blink per minute. Suddenly, an automatic motion you have been doing all your life becomes something you can’t do unconsciously, and you are unable to blink without thinking about it.

I believe I now have an answer to this question: In which language do I think?

Both.

It simply depends on what topic I’m pondering at the time. Anything related to work or things I discuss with friends in German, I think in German. Subjects I talk about with my family or prepare for these contemplations happen in English.

Perhaps that is also the mark of being truly bilingual. Not only do you speak both languages, but you think in both. After all, language is far more than a mere tool we use to speak with one another. Language touches every aspect of our lives. It is the thread that holds everything together and allows us to have the culture we do. In fact, if you look at Genesis 1:3, language was at the beginning of all of us.

Imagine, for a moment, having to build a car without using language. This task would be virtually impossible. No knowledge would be passed down from previous generations; no blueprints would exist; there would be no way to order the parts you need; you could not communicate with your colleagues to work efficiently; you could not even mark the speedometer with numbers. It simply would not work… it certainly would make for an interesting TV show, though.

We need language to build cars and houses, live together, and connect with one another.

Language is the foundation of relationships, our relationship with one another and with God.

Now, this is where it gets exciting: Each of us is an expert at using language!

‘Who, me?’, you may think to yourself, ‘I’m no expert. I almost failed out of French class!’

Yes, you are an expert.

Think of it like this:

You speak differently to a grown man than you do with a baby.

You would never sit down and read every word in a cookbook as if it were a novel.

You know how to talk to your boss so he doesn’t get too upset.

And when someone makes a joke, you recognize it as such and laugh.

So, you can argue all you want; you are pretty good at this language stuff.

Aside from helping us build cars and be friends, language does another thing: It allows us to discuss things that we cannot see. I can talk about what I want to do next week, you will understand it, but neither of us can see it. It is entirely abstract.

Likewise, we can argue about morality. Again, I cannot hold or touch morality, but despite this, it still impacts our lives. When we talk about it, images appear in both of our minds. The immaterial takes shape, and we can visually hold abstract concepts in our hands simply by using words. Language can pull us out of the physical world and help us converse about and understand matters far beyond the material.

My final point is this: The more proficient you are at language, the better you will be able to connect with the world around you, and the more accurately fellow humans will be able to see you beyond your physical form.

I think there is tremendous value in studying language. Play with it; get comfortable with it; learn how to express yourself better.

Essentially, this is what it means to be a poet.

You are always searching for ways to capture ideas, thoughts, and observations that you then release with language.

It is a beautiful thing.

'Alaskan Nights' - nature boasts its colors