Diction (noun): The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or language.
I am a writer. I write short stories and poems. I wrote a novel (that I now need to edit). I am in grad school so I write academic articles and scholarly papers with great frequency. I write letters. Yes, real letters, on pretty stationary stuffed into wax-sealed envelopes. I write all day long.
I also talk a lot. I talk all day. I talk on the phone. I talk in person. I talk to the cat. I even talk to myself sometimes.
I like words. Much of my day is filled with them. Pretty words. Ugly words. Carefully chosen words. Words have power. I try to be thoughtful with my words and what words I use. Word choice is called diction.
I think diction is conscious, but it can also be instinctual. I get hung up on words--the words other people use to speak to me, the words used to describe me, the words I use to speak to and describe others. I think words matter, and maybe they matter more to me because so much of who I am is tied up in them.
I don't want recycled words. I don't want words once used to describe another woman used to describe me. I don't want words and phrases uttered previously uttered to me. I don't want it because deep down I'm not sure you can give [recycled] words new meaning. I'm not convinced words once used for someone else can be filled with new emotion, emotion unique to me. And I like to be unique. I like to be different. So I want different words, better words, more thoughtful words.....
I get hung up on words.
Diction is habitual, somewhat instinctual. Involuntary yet voluntary. You use the same words and phrases the same way you use the same mug for your cup of coffee every morning. It's comforting, the familiarity we have with certain words and phrases. But does that comfort, that habit, over ride the need for new words, better words, more meaningful words? I'm not sure it does. What do you think?
I love the way that you used your words in this. It is very eloquently written.
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