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I attended a missions conference last week and the guest speaker was an Engineer serving as a Bible translator. As a lover of words and people, I was rapt with attention as he shared stories of both. To translate a language, you must have an alphabet, the building block of the written word. Many languages do not have an alphabet so translators must work with native speakers to define letters and words.
Language is our identity, our heritage. Having a language that can be written enables us to share and pass down our history and stories. We can educate and learn because we have language.
Those who do not possess this wonderful gift proudly embrace the opportunity to own their language by writing it. My eyes teared up at photos of happy faces now able to pass on their stories through the written word.
We take so much for granted in literate nations. We complain about reading and writing. We are lazy and sloppy in our communications. We opt out of mastery of our own languages because we don’t like it or don’t believe we have a natural talent for it.
Perhaps its time to rethink the written word and make more of an effort to honor this gift.
What do you think? Are basic writing skills important?
Resources:
199 Ways to Write with Confidence – In this book, Joanna Young has compiled the best of her writing wisdom from her blog, Confident Writing. I bought the book as soon as it was published and it sits on my shelf for quick reference. This is not an affiliate link, just a good old fashioned recommendation for a great resource.
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Really appreciate your saying so, Karen! 🙂
Jeanne, thank you so much! Your kick off message to writers was a beautiful reminder of this gift so thank you!
Karen,
Written language truly is a gift. Thanks for saying it so beautifully–as you always do!
@Joanna, you are such a wonderful source of inspiration. In so graciously sharing your own passions, discoveries and learnings you have helped us all to not only think differently about writing but the world around us that inspires our words. The book is fantastic but I really think the world should also subscribe to your blogs. Yes, the world. 🙂
.-= Karen Swim´s last blog ..The Gift of Written Language =-.
@Robyn, what a beautiful testament to your mom. My mom taught me to read and write, and my Dad instilled my love of Shakespeare. I agree with you that reading is a great way to learn to use language. I hope that those of us who love words can inspire others with our passion. 🙂
.-= Karen Swim´s last blog ..The Gift of Written Language =-.
Karen, I do think we should honour this gift, mainly by being conscious and deliberate about how we use our words, knowing and remembering that our words count. They make a difference.
As you do, and as your words do.
Thanks for mentioning the book Karen… and inspiring me to produce it!
Karen, my Mom was one of the most well-spoken persons I knew. Though she never went to college, she was very well read and spoke impeccable English. From the time I was very young she read stories to me and encouraged me to read by buying fascinating books. So I too became a voracious reader. In many ways, I believe we build writing skills by doing a lot of reading since we pick up contextualized meanings of words. Then when we write, it’s only natural we use them. Just another slant on a topic close to heart.
.-= Robyn McMaster´s last blog ..Ellen Weber – An Inspiration =-.