Once upon a time, in an creative writing or English class, you probably learned about the eight parts of speech. These are the building blocks of how we communicate, both verbally and in writing.
One of these parts of speech has garnished a lot of attention in the past few years, discussing the use of pronouns. This post is not about that topic. There is actually a much more dangerous class of wording we should consider using less and less.
Pop Quiz (not really)
We should first take a quick glance at those eight parts of speech. Here is a quick version of their definitions as found on Grammarly.com (bold and italics added).
- A noun is a word that names a person, place, concept, or object.
- Pronouns are words you substitute for specific nouns when the reader or listener already knows which specific noun you’re referring to.
- Adjectives are the words that describe nouns.
- Verbs are words that describe specific actions.
- An adverb is a word that describes an adjective, a verb, or another adverb.
- Prepositions tell you the relationships between other words in a sentence.
- Conjunctions make it possible to build complex sentences that express multiple ideas.
- Articles come in two flavors: definite articles (the, this) and indefinite articles (a, an).
Again, we are not addressing the use of pronouns. That hot topic is nothing compared to the part of speech we need to drop: adjectives.
Words with Power
The list above is based on Grammarly’s definitions of these parts of speech. Let’s take a look at one more definition. Consider how Merriam-Webster defines an adjective:
“a word belonging to one of the major form classes in any of numerous languages and typically serving as a modifier of a noun to denote a quality of the thing named, to indicate its quantity or extent, or to specify a thing as distinct from something else”
Adjectives are words with tremendous power. In this definition, I see two red flags in this definition about how we use these words.
1. An adjective is an agent of change.
Employing an adjective modifies the original meaning of a noun into something different. It says the primary definition is not enough. More information is required about this person, place, or thing.
2. An adjective creates division.
An adjective creates distinction, highlighting the differences between nouns that would otherwise be considered the same.
Adjectives are dangerous because they are wall builders.
They seem harmless. We are just trying to be clear or help explain something specific. Rarely do we stop and think if they are necessary or what their use will mean to the conversation, the listener, or even as a revelation or reinforcement of our own hearts.
Lost in the Layers
I recently came across a question posed to Christians on Reddit: “Do you love your gay neighbors?” It was not enough to say something simple like, “Yes” or “Of course.” Instead, I hit the issue which created the question: “I love my neighbor(s). They don’t have adjectives.”
Our world is full of adjectives, to the point where it wants to create more every day. Individual souls are desperate for attention, so they strive to attach as many adjectives to themselves in the hope that one of them will strike a chord with the masses and get them noticed. Instead, they create a series of layers around themselves and the individual gets lost completely.
Do you remember when the rainbow flag was a symbol for “Pride”? In 2022, The Volvo Group posted an explanation of 21 different “Pride” flags. Adobe Stock currently has options for Pride flag collections which include as many as 50 flags, from simple shapes and colors to the extremely complicated. More adjectives. More division.
Which adjectives did Jesus use when reminding us about God’s plan?
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)
Which neighbor should Jesus’ hearers love? Their Jewish neighbor? Samaritans? Romans? Dark skinned, big nosed, short and skinny neighbor? The bald, chubby, near-sighted ones? What about the leper, the poor, the adulteress, the tax collector? Which neighbor did Jesus say it was okay to not love?
The Real Quiz
Adding simple, short, “harmless” identifiers divides more than it unites. They instill and influence prejudices and judgments in our hearts. This is why we have to get rid of these destructive words.
Here are some questions to help us take a look at ourselves and help us clean up our words:
- How are you using adjectives in everyday conversation?
- Are you aware of the words of power you employ, or are you just saying what flows?
- What does that natural flow of words reveal about your heart towards the people in your life?
- Which words can you stop using to help show love and break down relational walls?
Chris MacKinnon 