“I believe one of the most important responsibilities of architectural feminism is to heal this schizophrenic spatial schism – to find a new architectural language in which the ‘words’, ‘grammar’, and ‘syntax’ synthesize work and play, intellect and feeling, action and compassion.” (Leslie Kanes Weisman, Women’s Environmental Rights: A Manifesto, 1981)
In any given context, the terminology matters. Words are the tools we use to create thoughts, ideas, hopes, changes. The words we use reflect our understanding of the world and everything that surround us. One could say that we live in a bubble, or rather a fortress, where the walls are made of letters, words and syntax. We know little, if anything, of what is outside of these walls. Occasionally we add or remove some insignificant ornamental detail, but the overall structure remains.
In order to improve the way we create and design our environments, we need to be aware of the way we use the language. Like so much else, the language is constructed to maintain a certain order of power. If we don´t rethink the way we write and speak, what words we use and the way we use them, it would arguably be difficult to change this bubble we call the world.
– a isacson
archandphil 
October 1, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Thanks for an interesting post!
It’s certainly true that language influences our thought processes. I would like to learn more about this in regard to architecture and urban planning. Does anyone know of any good readings on the subject?
Malin Ahlgren Bergman