Most Problems Can Be Resolved Through Language

Most Problems Can Be Resolved Through Language

Almost any form of knowledge or expression can be conveyed through language. Take the various academic disciplines taught at university, for example—all of them can ultimately be written into books. What fills those books? Written text. And text is part of language; it is language in its simplest, most accessible form.

Consider university subjects again: whether it’s the formulas of calculus, the symbols in circuit diagrams, or the double-helix structure of DNA—each can be recorded in writing and, when accompanied by verbal or written explanation, clearly understood.

Music may rely on sound, but it is also captured in musical notation; song lyrics are themselves language. The core ideas behind a painting can be distilled into words. Yet just as music must be heard to be fully appreciated, and its beauty only truly felt in sonic form, so too must a painting exist as a visual image to preserve its complete message. In this sense, language has its limits—it can point toward meaning, but not always embody it fully.

The side effects of language—misinterpretation, forgetting, even emotional harm—are inevitable byproducts of human progress. They are not reasons to reject language, but reminders to use it mindfully, without letting its flaws spiral out of control. One key limitation is that spoken explanation alone is often insufficient. But when supplemented with written text, diagrams, or even animated demonstrations—and when we invite others to describe their own experiences in detail—the result can feel like fog lifting to reveal perfect clarity.

We all love reading novels. Novels are refined language, art crafted from words. Countless literary classics have survived on paper, passed down through generations. Only after scholars interpret them and readers engage with them do their wisdom and insights truly come alive in new minds. Similarly, legal statutes are intricate weavings of precise language; diplomatic negotiations hinge on subtle shifts in wording; and psychotherapy thrives on the flow of speech between speaker and listener. Poetry conveys profound emotion, and even silence can be given voice—as in the famous line, “At this moment, silence speaks louder than sound.”

Even in an argument, as long as both sides are still willing to debate using words, the bridge of communication remains intact. Violence is the failure of language; reconciliation always begins with a simple, courageous phrase: “Let’s talk.”

A person who stops learning is no different from someone in primitive times. It is only within communities that language truly ferments into something brilliant—shaping what we recognize as modern civilization. Over time, shared workplaces have cultivated distinct corporate cultures, all preserved and evolved through collective use of language. And it’s no coincidence that those who master language tend also to excel in life itself.

Moreover, learning language is joyful and deeply satisfying—especially when acquiring a new one. It opens fresh perspectives and insights, like discovering a new continent or unearthing a hidden treasure. Of course, it may also expose you to cultural tensions, but staying grounded helps you avoid being unduly swayed. Most importantly, language is deeply personal—like a fingerprint. Your unique speech patterns, word choices, and rhythms are what feel natural and authentic to you. True mastery lies not in echoing others, but in expressing yourself with clarity and purpose.

Thus, language is far more than a mere tool. When used well, it can resolve countless problems. If a problem remains unsolved, the issue usually isn’t language itself—but how poorly it was employed. Yes, language is imperfect: prone to ambiguity, constrained by form, and sometimes distorted in transmission. Yet it is precisely because of these imperfections that we continually refine, enrich, and reflect upon it. From ancient knot-tying records to AI-generated texts, every leap in human civilization has, at its core, been a renewed exploration of language’s possibilities—because we believe this: as long as something can still be clearly articulated, there is still a way forward.