Language as an artificial construct

Although languages may arise organically or be constructed by linguists, they still have a large amount of artificiality about them. They are symbolic ways of describing the perceptions of reality, rather than being and existing because of that reality.

For example, a recent study of the remote Brazilian Pirahã tribe suggests that “number words are a concept invented by human cultures as they are needed, and not an inherent part of language.” (see the article Language Without Numbers)
The commonly spoken languages tend to be limited in their way of expressing esoteric and occult concepts, much in the same way that the Pirahã language lacks number words. We often have broad concepts such as Will or unconscious but no clearly defined or standardised terms for small parts of these general terms. Worse still is that different individuals and groups use the same terms but have differing meanings or understandings of what aspects of reality are being described. This leads to misunderstandings and sometimes arguments which are purely semantics rather than substance (cup half full versus cup half empty, or which is better a mug or a cup for drinking from?).

Perhaps a constructed language (conlang) based around magical and philosophical concepts could help overcome the problem?

Related posts:

  1. Towards a Magical Language
  2. Magical Language Notes 1
  3. Metaphor in Magical Language

Leave a Reply