Language in Tiers

Language is a tool that allows societies to communicate, organize, and, also creates unity within a culture. At its basic form it can further progression and connections within society by its unifying characteristic. But even recognizing language at this elementary level generates interesting questions. How was the word tree decided, especially because you cannot objectively associate the name with the object itself? This question of what language truly is points to the idea that language has a higher purpose; Ralph Waldo Emerson restates this idea in his book titled Nature. He claims in this book that language is a powerful. If taken at face value, communication is the most basic function of language, but, he adds, there is more. He states, “We say the heart to express emotion, the head to denote thought; and thought and emotion are words borrowed from sensible things, and now appropriated to spiritual nature” (35). One word can be interpreted by what it literally means, but it also can mean something deeper. Although language is a helpful tool, there are different tiers of significance that allow language to reach its true nature. Achieving this requires engaging the senses. According to Emerson, the three tiers of language are

1. Words [as] signs of natural facts.
2. Particular natural facts [as] symbols of particular spiritual facts.
3. Nature [as] the symbol of spirit. (39)

If words are written to purely communicate necessary information, than it is merely only reaching its basic level. But words must write themselves; the author must not interfere with language, but allow it to operate on its own. He continues, “A life in harmony with nature, the love of truth and of virtue, will purge the eyes to understand her text. By degrees we may come to know the primitive sense of the permanent objects of nature, so that the world shall be to us an open book and every form significant of its hidden life and final cause” (39). Upon reaching this final tier true beauty and truth can come forth, and then language can reach its pinnacle and write itself.

Emerson’s theory on language perfectly correlates with our class discussion on the wonder of awe. He emphasizes the power of language, and how it can produce the highest form of the sublime. Language, when reaching its highest tier, creates the closest connection to the sublime, or God. In class we have been discussing what the sources of awe are, and Emerson’s theory points to the power of language and its ability to generate awe. While his theory focuses exclusively on language and literature, I also saw a connection with Amber’s topic on the tiers of awe. After studying Emerson’s theory, it opened my eyes to the idea that each thing that can produce awe also has significant and deeper levels that can catapult it the highest form of awe. If left to its basic function, it can still produce awe, but it’s depth is superficial in comparison to its potential. If language is left to purely name and identify objects, it can cause awe by connecting people from different communities, but it limits it’s capacity to truly enlighten and transcend.

Romantic Writers strove for this level of enlightenment. The idea of words being able to write themselves, instead of the author writing the words, may sound idiotic, but it makes sense. A word that is not forced, but that becomes what it is supposed to be, allows for change and enlightenment. Literature that has truly affected me were the ones that seemed natural and organic. As if the author understood the concept of the word so well that they understood that it didn’t need to be forced, and that the words itself could produce naturally what they hoped for it to accomplish. I thought of the scriptures and the natural awe that can come from the words on the pages. Nephi, at the close of his writings, states frankly, “And now I…cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking…” (116); it is in this moment that Nephi lets go. Instead of deliberately writing, in order to create intense emotions and awe, he recognizes that he cannot do it without the higher power, thus the words he uses have to naturally produce this enlightenment. It allows words to reach their highest potential and connect us with God.

Found on the Word Chef blog

The first step in reaching that transcendence requires writers, and even society, to rely on language’s initial and necessary function, communication. After the author grasps a deeper knowledge of what this word means, and the emotions it can provoke, it can then move forward to the second tier, particular natural facts [as] symbols of particular spiritual facts”(Emerson 35). Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “Message Found in a Bottle” recognizes this same principle. The unnamed character finds himself thrown onto a ghost ship. There he finds a folded sail and splatters tar on the sail with his tar brush; when the sail is unfolded he finds the word DISCOVERY written on it. The likelihood of this happening is very slim, but in his story it happens. This concept clearly displays Emerson’s ideas, when an author allows nature and the nature of the word to take its course, magic happens. The word becomes alive in itself and the author is merely the tool. Instead of someone using the word to create action, the word itself creates meaning and depth. According to Emerson’s theory that is what creates powerful language, and literature that matters. Reaching that level of awe requires practice and understanding.

Emerson, Ralph. Emerson’s Prose and Poetry. Ed. Saundra Morris and Joel Porte. New York: W.W Norton & Company, 2001. Print.

The Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith Jr., trans. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1981. Print.