The Babble of Lingo

This is not a story.

Eve and Adam bit the knowledge apple -- which eventually led to a flood.

Knowledge could not be destroyed. Language misused.

Our creator decided to confuse.

The Tower of Babel fell after the bite -- the complete universal language of few words…gone.

Can we even begin to imagine what it was?

False reconstructions forced to emerge.

Leaving mortal man to babble…get my lingo?

Deception began. Foundation false. Leading us to faith.

*** "bereshit bara 'elohim 'et hashamayim ve-et ha-'arets"…It's all Greek to me!

Ask the Greek for a translation: "In the beginning created Gods the heavens and the earth"

Ask the English: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"

***

What if our fallen language lies? What if truth means lie, and lie means truth?

Word order, critical beyond semantics: "God created"

or "In the beginning created Gods"? ***

Ask the ancients building the tower: "We were building down, not up".

Wanting to reach the party of glory and recognition -- without an invitation.

It really all comes down to pride.

Sitting firm on our own foundation of truth.

Wanting an invitation of proof.

It matters not where you physically preside.

Proof denies faith. Those invited, out on an invisible limb -- praying for faith strong enough to withstand their weight.

Humbly I write, don't just take my word. Pride comes before the fall.

Just doing my best to give and take spoils freely -- in the spirit of collaboration of all.

Little Mouse

June 15, 2008

Author's Note

Adapted from my research on the Tower of Babel years ago. I originally wrote a 9-page essay, complete with references, dated 1994 (ha!). My English instruction only gave me a C+. I think he liked my paper, though he differed in opinion. He wrote so many questions all over my paper there was no white space left. In this short writing, I know what I am trying to convey of course --I hope it transfers, whether you believe it or not.

Sidenote:
I was inspired to write this in this format today in response to the entire concept of the "The Archeology Of Inspiration (Pilot)". http://www.writerscafe.org/groups/1508/group/
Though not inspired by any particular work, the intro spurred me: - work that demonstrates the effects of transcendental interpretations and subjective impositions, but which ultimately supports the positive effects of collaborative relationships. -

Whether this fits the anthology or not 'it is what it is' but what it becomes remains to be seen.

Any feedback and suggestions welcome.
Thanks! -:3 )~~~

Reviews

[Dianne]

I like what you've written here so much I wish I could read the full nine page essay! I was raised very fundamentalist Christian, but by my early teens I was already seriously in doubt about what I was being taught. I was asking all kinds of questions and as you may know, fundamentalists do NOT tolerate questioning the faith. My search continues as do my questions.

[Celtic Cat]

See.... your beginning pisses me off. How dare our creator decide to confuse us! Gah... if life isn't complicated enough! I hope he's happy up there.... watching how far his idea to divide has really taken us. I think divisiveness is the root of all evil, about now....
As for this write... I like it!
hmmm.... creating confusion so we're forced into faith? Even more sinister than the first quote I pulled. No wonder we keep coming back here... our lessons are riddles... and it takes a strong mind to figure out the riddler. Reincarnation, is what I'm referring to, though I don't believe the faith you speak of believes in it.
Very interesting question posed about the interpretation of language. A HUGE implication of how wrong we can be about everything!!!
We were building down, not up. Very, very interesting. Have we continued this pattern as a species? We do certainly seem to be back-peddling in our "progress". Interesting indeed.
I love your ending..... doing your part to spread the news. It is good to spread wisdom... and even questions.
A very interesting write which I've been peeking in on for quite some time. Keep it up!!

[R J Askew]

This really freaks me out because it goes to the core, heart and soul of it all. Language is just sooooooo slippery! And knowledge depends on our skill with language. Who knows what is what? Philosophers don't seem to. They try and nail things down and then another philosopher comes alone and unnails it. Words like truth, belief, love are amongst the slipperiest of all. Personally I've given up following my intellect and tend to follow my instincts. Words like friendship and laughter ring my bell more than big picture stuff about " " the meaning of life. Once you stop looking for meanings and tidy explanations for everything it all becomes so much easier.

[Emily Elizabeth]

Nice, but the tower of Babel, Iraq, was actually built for the Mesopotamian God Marduke.
We have a definite clash over opinion, but I respect your writing, you have a lovely, intelligent style.

[Solst Rapture]

And in the life of them, or those that paroled amongst the lilies, or amongst us all, we began something that asked our mothers to love us all. While we sat working our way through the peace we knew we beheld, I saw a river that drifted away from my soul. Ever since he left me I hoped I'd never be dispensed but I always heard that I'd succeeded and that I should walk alone. Another voice awoke me from the dreamy sleep that I often loafed in and I called over to the hills; 'I'll never give in."

You did that. I have no idea what it is. I'm obviously thrilled you referenced me, but that is merely a smidgen of a matter.

I imagine who you are.

[Nicholas Hallows]

This one has been amongst my RRs for a while... not because I haven't read it, but because I have read and re-read it and have been thinking carefully about what I can say.
I know I really like it.
Two of my favourite subjects are the history and evolution of language and also the origins of religion so this piece was doubly fascinating for me.
I guess after more linguistic studies we can see links between different languages and that many evolved from each other rather than being completely separate from the start.
I often wonder how much myths and stories have changed and been lost in translation over the years. It amazes me that some people still follow these words as if they were written in stone when they clearly have changed numerous times and probably lost a lot of their original meaning - if they ever really had any.
Thanks for sending this my way. I really really enjoyed it.

[*^*my*beautiful*zelda*l..]

cool! I like how your writing is becoming more philisophical in terms of religion. I appear to be getting very involved with your faith-- that's really good!
I loved the point you made, "Pride comes before the fall." I can truly relate to that in my own life.
*reads the author's note more carefully*
Oh, this was a paper! neat!
Pff, sure, the teacher differed in opinion, but that really shouldn't matter. I'll still assume that isn't why he gave you a C though *rolls eyes* lol
very nice, AND interesting! *thumbs up* great job! xD

[Phill Oz O'fee]

I was very impressed by the insightfulness of your composition, especially the reference to Babel. Just to reiterate the passage;

Genesis 11:1-9 (The Message)

"God Turned Their Language into 'Babble'

1-2 At one time, the whole Earth spoke the same language. It so happened that as they moved out of the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled down. 3 They said to one another, "Come, let's make bricks and fire them well." They used brick for stone and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches Heaven. Let's make ourselves famous so we won't be scattered here and there across the Earth." 5 God came down to look over the city and the tower those people had built. 6-9 God took one look and said, "One people, one language; why, this is only a first step. No telling what they'll come up with next-they'll stop at nothing! Come, we'll go down and garble their speech so they won't understand each other." Then God scattered them from there all over the world. And they had to quit building the city. That's how it came to be called Babel, because there God turned their language into "babble." From there God scattered them all over the world.

As it says; up until that time, all humanity had spoken one language and assuming this had been the tongue in which Adam used, we also must acknowledge this was the language he used, to speak with God in the 'Garden of Eden'. Adam used this gift to name all things under his authority, as instructed by God. The animals, minerals, vegetables and other creatures of the earth. Babel proved to be a corruption of this gift and rightfully was taken away from man.

However, if we look at these passages;

Acts 2:2-12 (New International Version)

2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

My understanding of this question, comes from combining both old and new testament passages. I believe, that at this mass demonstration of faith and homage to God, all those who believed they spoke in 'tongues' had momentarily regained the gift Adam had been blessed with; the language he used to speak to God. That is why all who spoke in faith, could understand and interpret.

Sorry if I 'babbled on' myself, but you gave me am inspirational mindset, for which I had no choice, but to reply !

God's Blessing
Phillozofee

[Brett Campaigne]

excellent insight, you get to the heart of the reversals in thought and its' syntax. Though discourse on the rejection of God (whether he exists or not) is like chaining oneself to God no matter how much slack you give your leash.

[Carole]

Very thought provoking write, here! You have brought forth some viable questions! Thanks for making me think! I am not sure what you can do to improve it since I don't write in the same manner. These are the type of writes I hated to have to do in Bible School. Though I do love some forms of history, not all inspire me enough to enjoy writing about it. A good one to give you an opinion is Philozofee if he is on your friends list. He is very Philosophical and loves theology.

Your intelligence shines through in this piece! Keep up the great work, lady!