On our difficulties in finding the right words

Ben-Ami Scharfstein

pp. 15-27

in: I. C. Jarvie, Nathaniel Laor (eds), Critical rationalism, metaphysics and science, Berlin, Springer, 1995

Abstract

We are the animals that use words and that complain rather often that they fail us. Thinking of the effect we should prefer but fail to make, we say, "I can't put it into words." We seem to imply that if we were able to use words well enough, or if words were a more faithful medium, we could transmit our experience exactly and be appreciated for what we know ourselves to be. It seems that we all share in the dream, however latent, of perfect communication and communion, and we are unhappy whenever our attention is drawn to the dream's failure.