Why Words?

A wide vocabulary enables one to describe his or her thoughts with more accuracy. If a simple feeling needs to be expressed, a diverse vocabulary is not necessary. However, when the thought that needs be expressed isn’t as elementary, more complex diction is necessary in order to accurately communicate it. Henry Hazlitt once said “A man with a scant vocabulary will almost certainly be a weak thinker. The richer and more copious one's vocabulary and the greater one's awareness of fine distinctions and subtle nuances of meaning, the more fertile and precise is likely to be one's thinking.” Hazlitt’s words translate the idea that people with more intellectually capable minds need a wider variety of words in order to impart their ideas. Every single word makes a difference in what someone is trying to say, so if even a single word is used in the wrong place, then it can change the meaning of what you are trying to say. Mark Twain noted the distinction saying “the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” He puts it so simply, saying the variation between two completely different meanings is one word, changing the whole course of what he is saying. Being able to correctly describe what is trying to be conveyed shows that one’s mind is rich in knowledge and depth, and it shows that he or she can verbalize their emotions with ease. Words are a way to place yourself in higher levels of the social hierarchy whether it’s your intent to or not, so being able to portray an air of intelligence can be helpful in many different ways. It makes a big impact in life if one is able to tell others what they mean and show their intellect in various ways.