[One Thousand Characters a Day] Professor Shin Ji-young's 'Language Sensitivity' Class＜2＞

Editor's NoteWe feel various textures in words. Just as I feel something through the words of others, they too will feel various textures through my words. Many people want to hear a single "warm word," but everyone only wants to listen and does not try to speak warmly themselves first. Professor Shin Ji-young advises that to allow words of a new temperature to circulate, we must pave a new path for words. Instead of harsh words, pretty words; instead of words that hurt, words that comfort must be heard more often. Since these are not words we exchange frequently, it may feel uncomfortable and awkward at first, but from now on, we must muster courage, keep trying, and get used to it so that warm words can circulate among people. Word count: 1001 characters.

What kind of texture does my speech approach others with? More precisely, what kind of texture do I mostly use in my words to make others feel? And what texture do I hope to feel from my own words? While pondering these questions, I suddenly realized that "warmth" is neither the texture of my words nor the texture I pursue in my speech.

Due to the nature of my profession, I have been trained more in "sharpness" than warmth. I was taught to use cold, rational, and precise language, and I liked the language honed in that way. Over time, the idea that vague or ambiguous expressions are "evil," and that precise, sharp, and pointed expressions are "good," took deep root in me. Like focusing a lens or tuning a radio frequency, I wanted my words to hit the target bullseye precisely. I did not want them to spread vaguely or become limp and loose.

Reflecting on the words I have desired and pursued, and the texture of my speech, I realized that I have felt much more comfortable and familiar with sharp and flawless words than with warm words. And I came to the conclusion that I had never really thought about the warmth of words, nor felt the need or longing for such warmth.

Then, what kind of texture do people generally want to feel from others' words? I began to explore this through various channels. And I reached the conclusion that the texture is exactly "warmth." Afterwards, I examined everyday language from the perspective of "warmth." I observed not only the words coming from my own mouth and those of others, but also lines from dramas and words in observational variety shows. And I realized why people long for a single warm word.

The reason was simple. It was the gap between the words people want to hear and the words they actually hear. They want to hear warm words, but since they do not hear warm words, they long for them. Everyone wants to hear a warm word, but ironically, those who want to hear it do not speak warmly themselves. If you want to hear it, you must say it, but they do not, and only want to listen.

－Shin Ji-young, <Professor Shin Ji-young's Language Sensitivity Class>, Influential, 18,000 KRW