Before we dive into the deep let’s dip in the shallows. Okay?
“What do you have in mind?”
‘Water’ is a simple word. But consider the associations: Steam. Mist. Fog. Cloud. Rain. Tornado. Hurricane. Snow. Snowflake. Avalanche. Flood. Waves. Tsunami. Stream. River. Brook. Sea. Lake. Ocean. Ice. Ice cube. Glacier. Iceberg. Drink of. Bottled. Distilled.
There’s more, but you get the gist.
‘Home’ is a fluidic word and concept that has associations as innumerable as the stars. These associations arise from the forces that act upon ‘home.’
Let’s back into one perspective of home. Consider the following that you read earlier: “Home is an English word virtually impossible to translate into other tongues. No translation catches the associations, the mixture of memory and longing, the sense of security and autonomy and accessibility, the aroma of inclusiveness, of freedom from wariness that cling to the word ‘home’ and are absent from ‘house’ or even ‘my house.’ Home is a concept, not a place; it’s a state of mind where self-definition starts.”
This is easily understood when we consider that ‘home is a cultural expression. The culture of these United States is like no other.
The first broad scope observance of Thanksgiving occurred by Presidential Declaration. In the middle of war. The Civil War. The nuances this one act attached to ‘home’ run deep, run long, run forever.
Any culture not having undergone such an experience cannot have the identical associations created for its word that relates to home.
But this happens in reverse. Do you know about Wabi-sabi?
“Wabi-sabi?”
It is a complex ideology endeared by centuries of cultural appreciation and minor refinements. For our discussion, let’s define Wabi-sabi as an appreciation of the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
Wabi-sabi is a cultural expression of the Japanese. Residents of these United States lack this expression and thus no collective sound to which we can translate Wabi-sabi.
Here’s another twist. The Japanese refer to a meaty taste as umami, the closest to this in these United States is savory or finger licking good. They recognize and explore five tastes rather than four.
“I was just wondering…you are such a philosopher, how do you express something umami?”
‘Roll me in the corner and paint me happy!’
Giggling, she responded, “You are so silly…I shouldn’t have asked!”
Then back to the serious stuff…cultural expressions affecting word associations.
In these United States the average buying cycle for an automobile is 4 years.
In Germany it is 10 years. Any wonder what they think of the words ‘value’ and ‘quality?’
“So that’s why they change the body styles so infrequently!”
And why their approach to design varies from that of these United States.
Home and parent are synonymous. But we need to go in a different direction for now. May we save ‘parent’ and ‘parenting’ for last?
“This little skinny dip was refreshing. Sure, we can save it for last, I’m game.” She pressed a note into his hand.
Reading, he smiled. As he wrote a reply, he asked if she was native this city.
“I am here on an extended visit. I am staying at The Estates.”
Then I will see you again, soon.
He returned the note as he offered his hand, now standing aside her chair.
Taking the note then his hand, she rose,
“Good night, kind sir.” And with that she departed.
Very nice parfum. Very nice.
She turned her head enough to acknowledge but not to show her smile.
