My world expands with every word I know — Revisiting 'The Ultimate Power of Verbalization' and excessive contemplation —

This is a question I asked myself several years ago.

My answer at that time was certainly this.

“Because it expands my world.”

Now, more than three years later, I wanted to shine a light on these words once again.

The catalyst for this was the article on Takashi Saito's book 'The Ultimate Power of Verbalization' introduced by Kaku-bu by Kotoba-to-san,

and the excessive contemplation by lion, who engaged with my note so kindly and sincerely.

Through these encounters, I realized once again.
That it is precisely because I have 'words' that I have been able to observe the world and expand it.

🧩 By 'naming' things, the world takes shape

For example, when we hear, 'That is a dog.'
Shepherds, Corgis, and Chihuahuas can all be grouped under the single word 'dog'.

This is not just about sticking 'word labels' onto the world.

Rather—
by knowing words, the world emerges as a 'meaningful existence'.

Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure argued that 'the world is made of language.'

In other words, 'the moment you give something a name, meaning is born there.'

Until you give it the name 'cat,' what is there is 'just an animal.'
But the moment the word 'this is a cat' is given, it takes on the 'meaning of a cat' and becomes distinguished from other things.

We name things within the world, create distinctions, and become able to 'feel' the world through words.

👶 A baby's 'Mama' and the starting point of language

In my previous article, I wrote an example like this.

Suppose the first word a baby learns is 'Mama.'
Perhaps that wasn't the 'existence of a mother,' but rather 'food in the form of milk.'

However, that word 'Mama' gradually comes to refer to a 'specific person,'
and they might even say 'Mama' to a neighbor lady.

By being taught, 'No, that's a neighbor lady,' two concepts—'Mama' and 'neighbor lady'—are born in the baby's world.

This is the beginning of language acquisition that starts from physical sensation.

As mentioned in 'Language, Body, and Learning' (Fusosha Shinsho) introduced by lion, children cannot accept the complex world as it is, so they use limited information to gradually carve out the world from simple concepts.

What jumps out first is the 'realization' connected to the five senses.
And, by layering words onto that, the world expands.

🎨 Because there are words, we can see the world 'in detail'

In Takashi Saito's book, it was also introduced that the 'precision of language' differs depending on the culture.

For example, in Finland, there are over 40 words for 'snow'.
In Korea, there are over 20 words used to distinguish 'spiciness'.
In Japan, there are 'shusse-uo' (fish whose names change as they grow), whereas in English, they are all lumped together as 'yellowtail'.

It is said that these differences are determined by 'where one finds differences' within a culture.

In other words, the 'resolution' of that world increases with the number of words.

Just as a car enthusiast talks about Lamborghinis and Ferraris as completely different entities,
just by knowing the words, the world becomes more precise, richer, and expands.

💭 I want to put that feeling into words

In our daily lives, we sometimes suddenly harbor vague feelings.

“What should I call this feeling?”
At times like that, I want to search for words.

And when I encounter an expression that fits perfectly in my heart—
just that alone makes my feelings a little lighter.

Saito states, 'Verbalization is the power to organize thoughts, improve judgment, and connect with others.'
I feel that it is the act of building a bridge that connects the 'yet-to-be-outlined thoughts' inside oneself to the world.

Just like when Helen Keller learned the word 'Water',
there are moments when emotions trapped inside the heart are liberated by words.

📚 'Reading' is exchanging worlds

The fact that lion carefully read my old articles,
and found in them a 'sense of the world expanding'.

Reading those gentle words of observation,
I was able to quietly think, 'Writing, too, might be a way to help expand someone else's world.'

The act of introducing books is not just about 'recommending' them.
It is an expression of the desire to pass on the 'emotion of words' that I have touched to someone else.

I want to deliver the world that expanded for me by reading books
into the palms of someone else.
That is the reason I call myself a 'Book Share Coordinator'.

🌏 Finally — Every time I encounter words, the world becomes kinder

The more words you have, the more diverse, deep, and colorful the world becomes.
It happens through reading, through writing, and through exchanging them with someone.

“The more words you know, the richer you become.”

My feelings from several years ago when I wrote this text have not changed at all.
But now, I feel I can say it just a little more carefully.

Having words means preparing to meet others.
And having the courage to look deeply into yourself.

That is why I open a book again today.
Believing that a world and words I do not yet know are waiting there.

📖 Reading is a journey of illuminating your own 'unknowns' with words.
🕊️ The more words you have, the more places your heart can call home.

✍ *Afterword*

First, I would like to express my gratitude to Kotoba-to-san and lion-san.
This was an article I was fond of, but I felt disappointed that it wasn't being read much. Ah, I realized thanks to the two of you that what I wanted to say wasn't being conveyed at all. I truly thank you both.
To lion-san, who read between the lines and provided supplements even though it was a difficult article. To Kotoba-to-san, who always shares easy-to-understand articles and encourages me. Thanks to you, I was able to re-examine my past self. By the way, the eye-catching image this time is an image of the Tower of Babel. I personally love this story very much. I would be even happier if this article reaches many people, but I want to savor the joy of being able to grow myself. Thank you so much for reading this far.
May the world be a rich one ✨

Sincerely, Yoshiki