The Colors Of My Language

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The Colors of My Language


The colors of a language can mean a million things, from different ways to say the same thing, to more than one definition for a word, to the different uses of a language. Language can be taken literally or figuratively. For example, the title is ‘The Colors of My Language’, this can mean the above described, which is a metaphorical meaning, or as I am going to write about, very close to the literal meaning, how different colors are used in our language to have different meanings.

Red was used in the knowledge of ancient medicine and in the superstitions of modern times. Red represents the color of health. Red wool was used to relieve sprains in Scotland, sore throats in Ireland, and to prevent fevers in Macedonia. The ruby was worn in China to encourage long life. The color red has also been a representation of love. A red rose, given to the bearer's lover or mate has always been known as a symbol of love. As well as the ever-popular red heart on Valentine’s Day.

Orange is the only color of the spectrum whose name was taken from an object, the well known and popular fruit called the orange. The fruit come from an evergreen tree, Citrus aurantius, and the word "orange", comes from the Old French orenge. Since about 1300 it has used as part of the English language. Because the tree is evergreen and everbearing, the color orange became associated with fruitfulness. On the visible spectrum this reddish-yellow color lies between, red and yellow the two colors that when blended together are the creators of the color orange. In folklore the color orange stands for fire and flames, lust, vigor, excitement, adventure and wholesomeness.

Since about A.D. 900 the color yellow has been integrated into the English language, stemming from closely related words in the Latin and various Germanic languages. In heraldry, where it is called or (for gold) the color yellow stands for the positive virtues ...