What We Take From Art: Words
Words are such a peculiar thing. All language is made up and it took thousands of years before the written language was created. And throughout the years it shifted and change. In modern times we can see in real-time new slang popping up and when it becomes less used. But that has been happening all throughout history. The event that began the transition from Old English to Middle English was the Norman Conquest of 1066, when William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy and, later, William I of England) invaded the island of Britain from his home base in northern France, and settled in his new acquisition along with his nobles and court. Bringing its own languages in to mix.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest know written text, started out as a series of Sumerian poems and tales dating back to 2100 B.C.. It is also the most complete version was written around the 12th century B.C. by the Babylonians. Not only did it tell a great story but many different lessons. But also different customs and norms of the time. Very little has survived from those times so we can surmise so much from this story.
Its not only big texts that are important either. We wouldn’t know simple everyday things if it wasn’t for regular people’s diaries. So maybe someday your diary (or journal) will be used in the future to learn about our culture. Which is funny and frightening at the same time for me. I have a lot of journals that I still have for when I was a teenager. Some of the things I wrote about makes me cringe even now. Guess I’ll still keep them for science.
But this doesn’t have to be something big and important. Reading stories to children can teach them things but its also a way to bond. We read fairy tales and fiction story to get away. To escape or just for entertainment. It doesn’t always have to be so deep. But it also gives us lessons.
So read your cozy romances or write your fanfictions. Not everyone will write the next great work of fiction. And that’s fine. Write what you need to write. Read what makes you happy. Allow the words to give you the meaning you need.
