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🇺🇸 Today, I’d like to share a Japanese poetic word, that has some wisdom too.
言霊 (kotodama)
This word is formed with the kanji 言 which means “say, speech” and 霊 which means “spirit, soul“.
It literally means a “words’ soul” and expresses the idea that words are inhabited by a mysterious power that can change reality. In ancient times, people thought if we said something out loud, it would happen because of the words’ souls. We often say in Japan that you must claim your goals out loud in order to reach them.
Aside from the mystical concept, I also personally like the idea that each word and language has a soul. People who speak multiple languages often feel that their personality and feelings differ according to the language they speak. I definitely agree and feel like a differenent person depending on whether I am speaking Japanese, French or English. My friends have also told me that I have a different energy depending on the language I speak.
This all ties perfectly into this expression: “He who learns a new language acquires a new soul.”
Wouldn’t you agree?
🇫🇷 Voici le mot du jour japonais : 言霊 (kotodama).
Il est formé du kanj 言 (dire, parole) et de 霊 (esprit, âme), et donc veut dire littéralement « âme des mots ». C’est un terme qui exprime l’idée que les mots sont habités d’un pouvoir mystérieux qui peuvent changer ou influencer la réalité si on les prononce. C’est pourquoi par exemple au Japon, on conseille souvent de parler de ses objectifs ou de ses rêves autour de soi, afin de les réaliser (plutôt que de les garder secrets.)
Évidemment en tant que professionnelle des langues, je trouve ce concept passionnant, surtout que la langue est en effet bien vivante. Ce qui me ramène à une autre expression très pertinente aussi : « Celui qui apprend une nouvelle langue acquiert une nouvelle âme. »
Êtes-vous d’accord ?