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try so hard to convince each other that their analyses of certain emotion words are
the most applicable to all cultures. In a way, these universal definitions can be
useful. For instance, Wierzbickas explications are valuable when it comes to
understanding the fundamental, most basic formats of certain feelings in terms of
what is generally required in order to display an emotion. However, I think that
trying to use them for anything beyond basic understanding is futile and quite
contradictory. The reason that so many languages exists is because there are an
infinite number of subtle differences in how every single person perceives and
reacts to the world around him or her. Language and physical cues allow us to do
this. If they open so many pathways to the outside world, then why are we so hasty
to shut them off by trying to define and label everything? Intangible things such as
emotions are simply untranslatable, at least to one hundred percent accuracy, and I
dont think that we will ever reach a point where we are able to fully understand
how every culture perceives the world.
For all of the years to come, people will continue trying to find a way to close
the gap between cultures caused by language barriers, to try and find ways to bring
all humans emotionally closer. However, I think the only way to do this is to focus on
the emotions and feelings that arent conveyed by words. Yes, language is
important. In fact, there are so many things that a cultures language reveals,
whether it be via slang words, certain coined phrases, or other unique emotion
words that do not exist in other cultures. Ultimately, emotions are felt in the body,
and are definitely not instantly identifiable and tangible objects that one can pick up
and immediately label. We try to accomplish this with words, but often times they
are simply insufficient for conveying everything that we feel. Emotions can be
voluntary and involuntary, can be desired and unwanted, and can definitely be mild
or extreme. They are everything but translatable. Thus, while I believe that all
human beings can experience all the possible emotions that there can ever be, I do
not think that we will ever experience them in the same way, nor will we ever be
able to express all of them properly with words. Words can cause barriers, but our
emotions can prevent them from forming so long as we accept that there are
certain things that cannot be labeled, no matter how hard we try.
That is the beauty of human emotion. We think that we are separated by our
different cultures, customs, and languages, but in reality, they are what bring us
together, because those are the things that cause us to feel in our daily lives. If all
human beings share only one thing, it would be the ability to have emotions and
express them.