Language Quote by Jake Adelstein
““The people believed that kotodama—the soul or spirit of language—resided in every word;””
About This Quote
Source Book: Tokyo Vice, 2009
Language is believed to hold a spiritual essence that gives each word power.
In simple terms: Words carry a soul.
Key Takeaway
Speak with intention and respect.
Themes
language
spirituality
belief
Mood
contemplative
curious
Type
cultural
philosophical
When to use this quote
- ritual speech
- poetry
- public speaking
Key Concepts
kotodama
semantic power
cultural myth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does believing in word power affect communication?
- Do you treat certain words as sacred?
A Different Perspective
Modern linguistics may not support this view.
![“The sounds aren’t where the meaning lives. […] Their language is organised noise, like all of ours are, but for them each word is a funnel. Where to us each word means something, to the Hosts, each is an opening. A door, through which the thought of that referent, the thought itself that reached…” quote by China Miéville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/feb/china-mi-ville-1303_spirituality_the-sounds-aren-t-where-the-meaning-live_2090127.jpg)
![“[...], the soul of man lives in his language.” quote by Anouar Majid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/75c/anouar-majid-44142_language_the-soul-of-man-lives-in-his-language-13_1341899.jpg)
