A Picture Worth a 1000 Words

What are words? Are they not but a tool by which we paint a picture? A medium aimed at creating an experience?

I think in both words and images. Regardless of what the verbal language communicates it is always the images that are much more poignant because they give life to words. If one has not at least seen an apple the concept behind the meaning of the word is non-existent in one's mind. Therefore, the experience is lost. It remains true though that one can know what an apple looks like and not have a word for it. However, the gift of language/word is the manner in which it allows us to communicate what we experience via our five senses, however slow or inaccurate it may be.

If you are wondering exactly why I am dissecting the place of spoken/signed language, images and experience in communication...

Today a friend sent me a picture that was worth a 1,000 words. In viewing the image I felt as if we had in an instance had a 1,000 dialogues, and in that moment a world of conversations fell into place. I gained understanding in studying that photograph that words alone could never convey.

Much of the understanding that came from this photo was the result of personal experience and understanding that has been processed via the use of words. I cannot deny the validity of language, both written and verbal. However, I can now better understand the depth of the adage "A picture is worth a 1,000 words."

Language and experience are intertwined. Images convey hidden meanings while words establish a common manner by which we can communicate and process information. They shall therefore be forever conjoined.

What is a picture but a visual experience?
“The fact is that if you have not developed language, you simply don’t have access to most of human experience, and if you don’t have access to experience, then you’re not going to be able to think properly.”
- Noam Chomsky