Word Magic By Hayakawa

Critical Concept: Hayakawa talks about a concept called “word-magic”. It is considered, “the notion, that by saying things repeatedly or in specific ceremonial ways, we can cast a spell over the future and force events to turn out the way we said they would” (p. 71).
Explanation: There is a general feeling that when an internal thought is spoken aloud that it gives concreteness to the idea. A couple can speak vows to each other about caring for, and loving each other forever. However, those vows spoken to each other in private seem to carry less significance than when they are spoke aloud in front of family and friends at their wedding ceremony. When vows are spoken at a wedding the couple tends to get the feeling that “this is for real”. It