language

"We are never half so interesting when we have learned that language is given us to enable us to conceal our thoughts." -Anne Shirley, Anne of the Island

That quote has always struck me as particularly true, although to some people it may not make sense. Even the woman to which Anne stated the above quote answered, "but it isn't - it's given us to exchange our thoughts."

The truth in the quote comes from the fact that as children we are completely honest, not experienced in the hurt and embarrassment that can come from brutal truth-telling. We share whatever is on our mind, tell people when they're annoying, beautiful, rude or kind. As children our thoughts are broadcast to the world because we don't care what other people think of us.

But once we hit middle school, this honesty begins to fall away. No longer do we share anything and everything with people we come in contact with. Our words are weighed before they're spoken, thoughts are concealed and we become experts in avoiding the truth - skipping around it with our words and hiding our real thoughts. It is then that we realize that the gift of language is in large part given so we can conceal our thoughts.