Even simple words have many meanings. To agree on the meanings…that presents an additional challenge! (K)
are you up for it? ๐
Way beyond my capacities.
I wonder which 7 words might be… ๐ค In Portuguese, I have one: saudade.
ohโฆ thatโsโฆ beautifulโฆ
โค
I would guess it is a prayer. The Shahada is 13 words. I really want to know now! ๐
me too ๐
I wonder which 7 words he meant? I listened to a podcast about a woman who had a severe stroke and woke with only 40 words. But they were completely unrelated to each other. She said it was so peaceful. But another woman (different podcast) tried to discover the minimum number of words needed to make a language function. It was about 120 I think. But while it functioned it was impossible to express anything subtle or complex. But perhaps Mr Gibran was commenting on the capacity of the human brain to accept what we hear?? Not sure.
I’ve been thinking about it… some simple words like ‘yes’ and ‘no’ could be conveyed with body language… so what are the basic concepts that we need verbal language to express?
I don’t think he can have meant it literally. Aren’t we so proud that we can communicate more subtly than other species? My dog knows more than 7 words… English words that is.
Very cool thought by a wonderful poet. After my mom died, I found Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet in my parent’s library, read it on the plane home… very beautiful, including in terms of layout, and with drawings. Basically says it all, in short format ๐๐ (but not seven words ;)) xoxo
I confess that I have yet to read it… ๐
Which words are those? To achieve universal understanding, they must be also be universal.
very good question. I have no idea!
And I don’t mean universal language, like Esperanto; I think he means universal words that are the same in every language. That’s an interesting concept.
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
wow
I see
Impossible
or
is it?
๐
Even simple words have many meanings. To agree on the meanings…that presents an additional challenge! (K)
are you up for it? ๐
Way beyond my capacities.
I wonder which 7 words might be… ๐ค In Portuguese, I have one: saudade.
ohโฆ thatโsโฆ beautifulโฆ
โค
I would guess it is a prayer. The Shahada is 13 words. I really want to know now! ๐
me too ๐
I wonder which 7 words he meant? I listened to a podcast about a woman who had a severe stroke and woke with only 40 words. But they were completely unrelated to each other. She said it was so peaceful. But another woman (different podcast) tried to discover the minimum number of words needed to make a language function. It was about 120 I think. But while it functioned it was impossible to express anything subtle or complex. But perhaps Mr Gibran was commenting on the capacity of the human brain to accept what we hear?? Not sure.
I’ve been thinking about it… some simple words like ‘yes’ and ‘no’ could be conveyed with body language… so what are the basic concepts that we need verbal language to express?
I don’t think he can have meant it literally. Aren’t we so proud that we can communicate more subtly than other species? My dog knows more than 7 words… English words that is.
Very cool thought by a wonderful poet. After my mom died, I found Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet in my parent’s library, read it on the plane home… very beautiful, including in terms of layout, and with drawings. Basically says it all, in short format ๐๐ (but not seven words ;)) xoxo
I confess that I have yet to read it… ๐
Which words are those? To achieve universal understanding, they must be also be universal.
very good question. I have no idea!
And I don’t mean universal language, like Esperanto; I think he means universal words that are the same in every language. That’s an interesting concept.
Reblogged this on Ken Hume.
โค
… because it was The Prophet’s first language? am guessing…
๐ค Barbara ๐ค
… lol – my failing eye sight sees a smudgy smiley…?
it’s a contemplative smiley!
Yeah, negate. That’s the ticket?
Nothing else seems to be working to me…
Oh I understand and share your frustration, I’m just not sure that subtraction is the math of the matter.
It’s a thought experiment for me ๐
I’m now actually considering writing some poem with only seven words to see how it comes out.
โค
David
poeming a thought experiment…now that’s a first class ticket. Good luck.
Are words true or false? Answer in blank poetry, written in Persian.
why Persian? ๐
It only has seven words. ๐
lol