“For an idea to exist, we must have words to express it.”
I strongly disagree with this statement. Yes, many ideas are expressed through conversations, speeches, and literature, all using words to express ideas, yet think about the images that you see. For instance, if you see a picture of a child crying, the idea that this child is sad or has something to be sad about is expressed, clearly. I am currently taking photography right now, and “wordless expression” is what the entire world of photography seems to be about. People analyze photos and images so closely that something like a broken swing could express the idea of a “broken childhood.” Art in general is considered to express ideas. Music, even without lyrics, can depict emotions and ideas. As well, ideas as passionate as religious ones can be expressed through a form other than words, for example, the crucifix. Ideas and even beliefs rely within that familiar image, yet no words are necessary to express the meaning of that image to some. Ideas can most definitely be expressed through many forms other than words.
10 comments:
Sam Johnston: I agree that images can convey meaning. but without words, could you think or express that meaning? without the word "sad", would you be able to express the feelings of the child crying, or would it just be a hazy, gut-wrenching feeling when you saw the child?
Anna,
I agree with your response. I was struggling over whether or not I supported this statement in the packet, but the examples you have given make me want to agree with it. Although, I do think Sam made a good point. Music and art can evoke certain emotions, but how would we talk about them without words? It would be difficult. I am not proving you wrong, I'm just speculating. I do think that music and art can bring out a range of different emotions, feelings, and meanings.
-Eliza Cohn
I'm not sure either. It seems that if you can't explain it, you don't really know what it is. If you can't express it with words, how can you communicate it to other people? That would seem to be the end goal of any kind of expression
-Paige Paulsen
Anna I see what you’re trying to say but I’m not sure that I agree with it. I am on the same page as Sam is. You said that a picture of a broken swing could express the idea of a broken childhood; well I see how you are saying that something without words can express this, but the idea that it is expressing is described in words: “a broken childhood.” Even though things such as music and art can bring about strong emotion, there’s always an adjective or adverb that you can describe it with.
I sort of agree with Michael. Usually there is an adjective that can help describe a feeling or sense of emotion that something can give you. But I also see your point Anna. For example when you look at a painting you can point out some obvious things about it like the mood it gives you and the colors the artist uses but that doesn’t always some up the true emotion of the painting as a whole.
Briyana Bembry: I sort of agree with Michael. Usually there is an adjective that can help describe a feeling or sense of emotion that something can give you. But I also see your point Anna. For example when you look at a painting you can point out some obvious things about it like the mood it gives you and the colors the artist uses but that doesn’t always some up the true emotion of the painting as a whole.
This statement is difficult to adress with words because you have to use words to describe any example of an idea that exists without words. This is what Sam and Michael were saying about the ability to express the feeling/idea conveyed by the crying child without the word "sad". But I agree with Briyana in that some of the emotion/idea conveyed by an image or piece of music can be expressed in words, but not all of it. As for sharing the idea with another person: if it can't be expressed in words, why not share it via another medium, such as photography, painting, or music?
Annika
i just thought of a good example of what i was trying to say earlier, in case it was hard to understand. So, let's say you have a piece of milk chocolate. You eat some, and you know that it tastes like chocolate. But if you didn't have the word "chocolate" in your vocabulary, it still tastes the same. If I told you that the name of chocolate wasn't actually chocolate but sotken, it wouldn't make a difference in how the chocolate tastes (the taste/idea doesn't change). Similarly, if the word "chocolate" was removed and you were asked to describe the taste of that brown stuff, you could still describe it. There are still words in the English language that can describe SOME of the idea, such as "sweet". The idea cannot be described completely without its name/word, but the idea still exists. The chocolate bar itself remains unchanged.
Annika
Part 3: Same Prompt (8)
After reading 1984 I still agree with my original opinion, but not based on the reasoning. The book made me think about the actual wording of the prompt and whether it meant “thinking words” or words said out loud. The scene in the book that particularly made me think about it is when in the first chapter Winston shared a “look” with O’Brien and he immediately had a response that they were both thinking the same thing. They didn’t say anything to each other or even “think in words” necessarily but instead it was an direct, instantaneous reaction to a one-second glance. Winston’s idea was expressed in a way that words weren’t necessary to express it. Mostly, my thoughts on this prompt have not changed.
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