When I took my writing class three years ago, we did this exercise once a week, where we were given a verb and asked to come up with as many synonyms for it as possible. The aim was to train us to use the most appropriate verb within a sentence, as opposed to using too many adverbs or adjectives.
For example, the word "talk" has so many synonyms, and yet, they do not all simply mean to "communicate using your mouth, voice and words" - you could talk slowly (drawl), or quickly (ramble), or with difficulty (stutter). There were times where this particular exercise frustrated the hell out of us, but was usually accompanied with quite a few laughs. In the end it expanded our vocabulary as writers, and enabled us to paint a picture with words, rather than just relate details.
Another synonym for this word is "whisper". The first definition of the word whisper that I come across is "to speak with soft, hushed sounds, using only the lips and breath, without vibration of the vocal cords". What a beautiful description! And being the incurable romantic that I am, I always associate this word with gentleness (trees, water, a breeze making a soft, rustling sound) or romance (to talk softly or privately).
However, this beautiful word can have an ugly connotation - "...to talk softly or privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting or the like); a rumour or insinuation..." - as I've discovered these past few weeks. I have been...heartbroken and angry because of some ugly things that have been whispered about me - angry at their inaccuracies and the physical effects that their negativity has had on me, and heartbroken because it revealed people's true colours (as well as their cowardice and the very bad opinion they seem to have of me).
But with difficulty comes introspection. I am not perfect, and while I try to stay away from gossip and try to refrain from badmouthing people (particularly when they are not present to defend themselves) I am human, and I have slipped up many times in my life in this regard. And it made me wonder whether I was being punished for doing the same to others.
While this whole ordeal was a good reminder for me to mind my mouth, and to reserve my judgement, it has made me a lot more distrustful of people in general (and of some in particular).
Whispers born of resentment, envy and assumptions can have some damaging effects, even when you don't hear them. And if I've learnt anything, it's that only the Almighty can protect you against them.
Another synonym for this word is "whisper". The first definition of the word whisper that I come across is "to speak with soft, hushed sounds, using only the lips and breath, without vibration of the vocal cords". What a beautiful description! And being the incurable romantic that I am, I always associate this word with gentleness (trees, water, a breeze making a soft, rustling sound) or romance (to talk softly or privately).
However, this beautiful word can have an ugly connotation - "...to talk softly or privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting or the like); a rumour or insinuation..." - as I've discovered these past few weeks. I have been...heartbroken and angry because of some ugly things that have been whispered about me - angry at their inaccuracies and the physical effects that their negativity has had on me, and heartbroken because it revealed people's true colours (as well as their cowardice and the very bad opinion they seem to have of me).
But with difficulty comes introspection. I am not perfect, and while I try to stay away from gossip and try to refrain from badmouthing people (particularly when they are not present to defend themselves) I am human, and I have slipped up many times in my life in this regard. And it made me wonder whether I was being punished for doing the same to others.
While this whole ordeal was a good reminder for me to mind my mouth, and to reserve my judgement, it has made me a lot more distrustful of people in general (and of some in particular).
Whispers born of resentment, envy and assumptions can have some damaging effects, even when you don't hear them. And if I've learnt anything, it's that only the Almighty can protect you against them.
