Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Alphabet: I Triple Dog Dare You to Try Writing Without It.

One of the most well-known songs in the English language is the ABC's. I'm sure it helps that Twinkle Twinkle Little Star has the same melody, but hey, everyone English speaking over the age of 2 can sing it. Furthermore, most people have the song memorized for the rest of their life. Reflecting on all the songs I have learned throughout the course of elementary, middle and high school, as well as college, I'm sure I only have a fraction of them still memorized. The alphabet is a national phenomenon.

So what is it that we are singing about? The alphabet is simply lines, squiggles and shapes in tandem to each other. Each of these lines represent a sound we are taught to make with our mouth. When put together, the sounds and lines combine to make words, which represent objects that we interact with. When words are put together, you gain the unique capability to not only identify objects, but express thoughts, emotions, ideas, likes and dislikes. You can ask questions and receive understanding. You can communicate with family, friends and the world. Perhaps most importantly, you can communicate with yourself.

Who decided that A would sound like ah, rather then oo, s or ch? Why does choo-choo represent the sound a train makes as it wakes you up at 3 in the morning? Why are you able to read this and comprehend what ideas I am trying to express?

I guess it doesn't matter. What does matter is we have words to symbolize the images that flash through our minds. Learning to effectively express yourself through writing and speech is a crucial ability in the world we live in. Words are power; words are the truest form of an object's essence.

Throughout the month of April, I will be participating in the <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2012-to-z-challenge-sign-up-list.html">A-Z challenge</a>. For you subscribers, that means your dashboard will be flooded with things that inspire me all month. Lucky you! My goal throughout this is to pick words that inspire me, inspire others, and inspire the world. Today, the alphabet inspires me; words inspire me; communication inspires me. So the question of the day is: How do you use your ability to write? If you could do one thing with your knowledge of the alphabet and the English language, what would it be?

If you know what you want to do with words, have you done it yet?

Life is good when you have a pen in hand and something to say.

Anne Katherine


4 comments:

  1. I agree with you about words. Language is how we communicate and also responsible for a lack of communication. So as much as words help us, they can also fail us. Interesting post.
    Your friend from A-Z.

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  2. Writing is a fundamental part of me. I've been blogging for almost 8 years and having that outlet for my thoughts and feelings has frequently been a sanity saver.

    Despite all this, until recently I didn't think of myself as a writer. Once I accepted that I was, I made my first foray into writing fiction.

    Here from the A to Z Challenge #1128

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  3. Kristin, that is so awesome that you got into fiction writing because of blogging! Good luck on any future books. Thank you both for your insights.

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