APPENDIX

On Language

A Poem-Plea by Francisco Gomes de Matos

What is language? A mental marvel

Used for all kinds of meaning making

But how can we integrate languages Into the blessed ways of peace making?

By avoiding forms of verbal abuse

Preventing aggressive acts of discourse

So that our communicative intentions

Can be free from a collision course

Being communicatively empathic and friendly In speaking, listening, reading, writing, or signing By interacting with persons, groups, communities In language that is linguistically dignifying

For languages to shine everywhere

And deeply touch the human soul

Let’s promote peaceful language

And make it a permanent goal

Ensuring for everyone the right to learn

Is a universal human rights priority

Learning to communicate peacefully

Should also be a vital necessity

Language uses can be loaded

It’s like a weapon, some would say

Instead, let’s give it PeacePower

And make it a truly humane way

As language users, each of us is different

But in one role very much alike we can be: That of acting as peaceful meaning makers And believing a kinder world there will be