I’ve found myself profoundly inspired by phonosemantics. In one stroke, it’s opened up a whole new way of looking at language — something I didn’t really think was possible for me after studying linguistics for sixteen years…
It would be like finding out that my wife actually has another job, house, and life that I never knew about. Except I’ve only been married to my wife for nine years. (Yowch! That reminds me: my anniversary is coming up in three days!…)
So I decided that I’d chronicle my exploration of this new side of language, and give you a chance to come along for the ride.
This is a different kind of Word of the Day.
Most Word-of-the-Day services offer words that most people have never heard of, in order to build vocabulary. Words like moil or redound or inveigle.
Fine words, no doubt, but they don’t live in people’s hearts.
I want to offer words you already know — simple words like god and sun and home. Words that are part of the furniture of your mind, the vocabulary of your subconscious, the words in your heart. You’ll read about where they come from and what they mean, just like in a regular word-of-the-day, but you’ll also read about how their sounds contribute to their meaning in subtle ways (phonosemantics), related words, and their place in the universal subconscious.
I want to offer, not just a word, but a guided tour of a tiny piece of the human experience.
I’ve set up the WOD as a separate blog, so you can subscribe to this Word of the Day service in a feed reader or via email.
Check it out here!
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Jeff,
I’m SO excited about your spin on the whole Word of the Day concept. I really enjoy this kind of intense exploration of the layers of SIMPLE words.
Your description of the “words that live in people’s hearts and everyday lives” — brilliantly stated.
I can think of no better source, or guide, for this type of information than you. For me, language and spirit and manifesting and consciousness and technology and relationships all ride on this interconnected web of meaning.
And it’s not just the intellectual curiosity, the odd ball term, or the anomalies of language that interest and inspire me, but the REAL words we REALLY use, everyday.
Way cool.
Oh, and so I don’t forget 3 days from now:
Happy Anniversary Jeff and Emily!
Pagan Love Power 4-eva!
Here’s an instant feed subscription if I’ve ever seen one. I love the explanation of Om as well. A million thanks in advance.
Thanks for your encouragement and enthusiasm! I am having such a blast with this already!
One thing I’d like to emphasize: EVERYONE definitely send me your requests for words to analyze. I get about a thousand ideas for these every day, so I’m not hurtin’ for material, but I want to know what you want to see.
By the way, LOVE this idea. So often I find myself getting into discussions with people about the meanings and uses of words that are supposedly common and well-understood. Of course, I have a degree in philosophy (with a focus on political philosophy) and comparative religions, so I approach the topic from that angle, but it’s fascinating to read an actual linguist’s take on such things.
I look forward to reading!
Well for goodness’ sake, don’t just read, Ali! The WOD is a full blog and allows comments — and your perspective would be great to hear!
Ya know, I would have left a comment already, if I didn’t get a 404: Not Found error after submitting one…
(Methinks someone forgot to rename a file somewhere when trying to fight the spambots.)
Whoops! Lemme see if I can fix that…
Comments are now working on the DJ-WOD. My humblest apologies.