Words in Language

I discovered my love for the English language when I was a secondary school English teacher in South Africa. I became enthralled with the structure of the English language as I studied it and taught it to students far less passionate about it than I was. I developed a deep affection for words.

I have just started reading Mark Buchanan's book, 'Your God is Too Safe', which I whipped off the library's shelf as soon as I saw it. Mark Buchanan's writing not only puts fire to your faith but his use of the English language is beautiful to read. I would read his books just to read his use of words. In the foreword to his book was a comment by Eugene Peterson that resonated deeply with me.

Eugene Peterson explains how the words we use, whether written or spoken, shape and form life. Our use of language has the ability to generate life, deepen our experience of life and enrich the life we live - or not. The flipside is that, if used loosely and without care, words have the ability to cheapen and devalue life. Words can also be used deliberately to damage and injure often times in subversive ways. If we care about life, we should also care about how language is used.

This encourages me to read books like Mark Buchanan's where language is skillfully used. It encourages me to continue to practise and learn the craft of writing so that the words I use may shape and form life, bringing hope and encouragement in a hard world. Do you remember the lie in the childhood chant, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me"?