World of Wordcraft

Some people build robots or sew fantastic quilts or design websites. I like trying to create with words. Whether it’s simply conveying a clear message or unearthing new understandings, brushing them off, and bringing them to light in a fresh way, writing is kind of my jam. But in times of diminishing attention spans, language has a lot less space to work its magic. This means those of us who tend to fall in love with words or get attached to turns of phrase need to temper our passions and be sure to respect the reader at least as much as—or rather more than—the message. The trick is to balance elegance with economy. (Yikes, that sounds a bit like a car commercial, doesn’t it?)

Moreover, (for all writers, but particularly for those who seek to serve the social sector) it is increasingly important to recognize the power of language: not merely its efficacy in promoting worthy ideas, but how it can be used to either include or exclude. We must take seriously the responsibility to do right by those who have historically had language used against them, whether because their language is not the one of the dominant culture or because too often the victors get to write a history that perpetuates the status quo. At the same time, I’m heartened by examples of how marginalized groups have adapted language to better serve their needs, whether by re-appropriating terms, subverting forms, or developing their own unique styles of communication. Now that’s wordcraft!

While I’m just as tempted as the next grammar girl to deal out a smackdown for the rampant misuse of homophones—like “lead” for “led,” or “peak” for “peek” (dare I say, it “piques” me?)—or other faux pas, I know my energy is better used in making quiet corrections and doing what I must to improve my own communication. In this way, I can contribute less to a “war of the words” and focus more on how to use language to lift up, heal, and inspire noble action.