Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

The Greatest "Universal Language" of All Column for the weeks of April 1-15, 2007

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The idea of a universal language probably dates back to the biblical account of the tower of Babel. At that time, there was only one language spoken, referred to by scholars as the Adamic language. People got together to build a tower up to the heavens. God decided to slow down the progress by confusing the languages. The project was abandoned for lack of communication.

Today, universal language means “a language intended to further communication and goodwill among people speaking different languages without necessarily replacing their native tongues.”

Through the years, some have tried to come up with universal languages. The most popular was Esperanto. No, this is not the universal way to order Espresso. Esperanto means “a person who is hoping.” I’m sure L.L. Zamenhof was “hoping” more people would speak his language, which he developed around 1880s in Poland. It was specifically constructed for use between people who speak different native languages. About 2 million can speak Esperanto today, which is about 2 million more than I would have thought.

But the word “language” means more than just the spoken word. It can be anything that communicates. It’s a system of communicating with other people using sounds, gestures, symbols, or words that express or represent objects, emotions, concepts, meanings, ideas or thoughts.

Many have had their own ideas of universal language.

The American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”

Inspirational author William A. Ward said, “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.”

Novelist Nathanael West said, “Numbers constitute the only universal language.”

English writer William Hazlitt said, “Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself.”

Lecturer and astrologer Chrissie Blaze says, “Prayer is the universal language of the soul.”

Having done a bit of traveling, I’ve discovered a world full of “universal languages” – things people seem to understand regardless of their native tongue. My list would include: laughter, babies, acts of kindness, facial expressions, hand gestures, shaking a head to indicate “yes” or “no,” pain, art, graffiti, pantomime, certain TV programs like I Love Lucy and Bonanza, winning, losing, certain sports, restroom icons, and road signs.

And let’s not forget the golden arches which almost everyone recognizes now-a-days! There’s even a McDonalds by the Pantheon in Rome and who knows where else? I remember traveling up to the high mountain village of Ronda in Spain. This town is so far up in the mountains you get a nosebleed trying to get there. It stands on a towering plateau, divided in two by a plunging river gorge. The gorge is spanned by a spectacular bridge called “Puente Nuevo,” built in the eighteenth century. It separates the old Moorish town from the newer portion of the city. Known for its breath taking views, it was a sight to behold. There, near that magnificent bridge, is a vision hard to forget – a McDonalds! Fortunately, those golden arches are not visible on the postcards.

View from Ronda, Spain

“Puente Nuevo” spanning the gorge in Ronda – McDonalds is to the right…

I guess my favorite “universal language” symbol comes in the form of jewelry. For when I see someone wearing a cross or crucifix, I usually find a Christian – a kindred spirit who believes in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

In Christianity, the cross represents Christ’s victory over death and sin. Perhaps belief in Jesus is the greatest “universal language” of all. All those who believe, understand what that means. Through Jesus, salvation was made available for all nationalities, all races, all genders – the rich or poor, the free man or slave, the young or old – no matter what language they speak.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.