The world as I know it has always been terribly loud, lonely, and confusing. From everywhere come voices, to sell, to persuade, to hurt, to help, to communicate. I, alone in myself, am left to interpret all these messages and respond back using the only tool I possess, my voice.
Language, albeit very useful, is still a crude method of communication. The true thoughts or intentions of a person can never be fully realized by another, because words will always be open to interpretation. The limitation of language lies in improper articulation, that is, there are not separate words for each idea or emotion that could occur to a person. We are left fumbling to interact with the world using inadequate means. This is why I write.
I find that the more mastery I gain over language, the easier it is to communicate my thoughts to others. Frequent writing and reading increases the precision and power of my words. As Berry wrote in his essay, In Defense of Literacy, “We must speak…a language precise and articulate and lively enough to tell the truth about the world as we know it”. We are not, however, born speaking this perfect, articulate language. One cannot learn how to swim if he has never been in water, just as one cannot fully learn and utilize a language to its full potential if he does not submerse himself completely into a world of books, literature, and writing.
Every new word learned, or work of literature devoured opens up inside us a new understanding of the world and of our fellow human beings. The grating and confused noise of voices begins to take a form and organizes itself into something truly beautiful and coherent. Ignorance of literature and language will leave a person trapped in the world lonely, isolated, and forever confused. As our own voice emerges and becomes intelligible to others, the loneliness of the self, the isolation of being an entity separate from all others, lessens. We are able to form a more perfect system of communicating with those around us.
How do I go about creating my own voice then? My tools: a pencil, a paper, and my head, filled with the knowledge of every experience, or book, or work of art I have absorbed. Practice is the key. Like a musical instrument, a person’s voice is not mastered simply or completely. Time, practice, and wisdom will nourish the voice and cause it to grow within the person into something sounding sweeter and more graceful.
MacNeil stated, “{Every person} has a mind programmed with language – from prayer, hymns, verses, jokes, patriotic texts, proverbs, folk sayings, clichés, stories, movies, radio, and television”. Every new experience adds to our collection and creates our voice, therefore, it is necessary to read, and learn, and experience as many things as possible.
One’s voice cannot grow if it is never used. One must write much and often. For this reason, I keep many journals, and write regularly. I have found that over time, my entries have become less awkward and more refined. Writing comes naturally now and it is much easier to express my true thoughts and emotions on paper. For this I am thankful. Writing and expressing myself in this manner provides me with a form of release. I am better able to cope with the worries and stresses of life. Honestly, I cannot imagine how much less sanity I would have if I did not have this release and escape. I could also never fully contemplate what it must be like to be ignorant of language or literature and the freedoms they bring.
“…months passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I had never been so truly free in my life” (Malcolm X).