大象传媒

Good morning.

鈥淚 have no words.鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 speechless.鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 at a loss for words.鈥� Such claims of missing language are often used as stand-ins. We somehow understand that such words mean 鈥淚鈥檓 feeling all these emotions, these feelings, but my language isn鈥檛 able to express the depth or intensity of my experience.鈥�

Likewise, phrases such as 鈥渢he silence was deafening鈥� speak volumes about how the absence of language can feel overwhelmingly powerful and significant.

Language, to me, is a remarkable gift. It is through words that we can share our deepest thoughts, express our emotions, and weave the fabric of our communities. The Qur'an itself emphasises the significance of language, reminding us that our diversity in tongues and colours is among the signs of God, designed for us to learn from one another and celebrate our differences.

Yet our words can also hurt, they can separate us. There鈥檚 an old playground ditty: 鈥淪ticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.鈥� Even as a tiny girl I knew it was a lie.

Words can scar us. I would even go so far as to say that words can damage the very fabric of society and community.

I love words. As a writer I am supposed to know words, to have words, and yet sometimes, when I watch the way language is wielded to hurt the most vulnerable, or when I note the absence of words to condemn the pain that I see in the world鈥� Well! I can be 鈥渁t a loss for words鈥�, as 鈥渢he silence is deafening.鈥�

In these times, I pray that I learn to use the gift of words wisely, and through them build bridges of understanding rather than walls. Ameen