The Spell Of The Sensuous, Animals
Almost all animals communicate. As author, David Abram, mentions in his text, The Spell of the Sensuous, animals “…communicate with each other, often employing a repertoire of gestures, from “marking” territory with chemical secretions, to the facial expressions of many mammal species, to the hosts of rattles, cries, howls, and growls…” (78). Unlike most animals, the preferred means of communication is language. Language is more than simply a method of communicating information, it holds much more power, and that power is dependent entirely on how we employ it.
In everyday human discourse, the significance of oral language is “… carried by the tone, rhythm, and resonance of spoken expressions…” (79), instead of merely the words used. Aside
from the noises generated from our vocal chords, language is often dependent on facial expressions and body language. We witnessed this phenomenon in class as we repeated the phrase, “it’s my birthday”, utilizing various tones, rhythms and resonances. It is truly remarkable how everyone is able to understand that a person who is bouncing up and down and squealing the words, “it’s my birthday”, is excited, and a person who is standing still and slowly speaking the words “it’s my birthday” in a monotone voice is unenthused, even though both people are saying the same words. The feelings and emotions of a speaker employ themselves into his/her discourse, and the listener is easily able to detect them. Realizing this sensation proves that there is another layer of language that goes beyond the comprehension of the information communicated through words.
Language is a powerful force. Pairing different tones with different body expressions can make even the simplest of sentences embody so many different interpretations. With the strong presence of technology in today’s society, it is important to remember the power behind oral language, and to realize that a thought is much more significant when it is expressed through words – and the rhythms and movements that correspond with them – than a mere lifeless text message.
In everyday human discourse, the significance of oral language is “… carried by the tone, rhythm, and resonance of spoken expressions…” (79), instead of merely the words used. Aside
from the noises generated from our vocal chords, language is often dependent on facial expressions and body language. We witnessed this phenomenon in class as we repeated the phrase, “it’s my birthday”, utilizing various tones, rhythms and resonances. It is truly remarkable how everyone is able to understand that a person who is bouncing up and down and squealing the words, “it’s my birthday”, is excited, and a person who is standing still and slowly speaking the words “it’s my birthday” in a monotone voice is unenthused, even though both people are saying the same words. The feelings and emotions of a speaker employ themselves into his/her discourse, and the listener is easily able to detect them. Realizing this sensation proves that there is another layer of language that goes beyond the comprehension of the information communicated through words.
Language is a powerful force. Pairing different tones with different body expressions can make even the simplest of sentences embody so many different interpretations. With the strong presence of technology in today’s society, it is important to remember the power behind oral language, and to realize that a thought is much more significant when it is expressed through words – and the rhythms and movements that correspond with them – than a mere lifeless text message.