On movements of language—within self, of self, about self, and between selves: Commentary on language and self

Abstract

Experiences acquire meaning and gain significance through narration and narratives do not mechanically signify experiences. The nature of visualization and understanding of self and the world around us is revealed in the genres through which we narrate. Human activity cannot be conducted without language and our activities are diverse. Subsequently, the manner in which language is used is also varied. Therefore, from thinking to speaking to writing to listening, we are dealing with an ever-evolving self in linguistic transactions with ever-shifting others. The language used is equally dialogic. The articles in this issue deal primarily with “movements of language”—within self, of self, about self, and between selves—to show the creative potential of the self and the generative capacity of language. In this commentary, I engage in a dialogue with the articles in this issue, bringing perspectives from Indian philological and philosophical traditions.