745 - How important is our language?

I was asked to explain the difference between the words brave and courageous.

At first, it stumped me.

I saw no real difference until I thought about it. The differences are ever so subtle.

In my humble opinion, the difference between these two words remains unimportant, considering all the other aspects we need to work on to speak English properly.

♥️ Courage is fearlessness that comes from the heart.

🧠 Bravery is more cerebral. It is the ability to face danger without showing fear.

We can now dive into a deep discussion on the intricacies of bravery and courage. We could discuss when one is more appropriate, and so forth...That's where it could lead to a great debate.

The two words can be used interchangeably in most situations.

According to ChatGPT, Bravery is the absence of fear, while courage is about taking action in the face of fear.

Bravery may be a more instinctual response, while courage may require more conscious thought and deliberation.

Today, where so many people have difficulty speaking proper English, I don't think it matters how you use the words bravery and courage. That comes later.

We create unnecessary barriers around us when we attempt to correct people for saying things differently than we would.

Everything depends on context.

YES! Words are important.

ABSOLUTELY, Grammar is important.

The main goal is communication.

We often expect foreigners to speak English correctly, yet too many Americans can't speak the language themselves.

Be brave enough to overlook a client, colleague, or employee's ignorance of the exact word they should use.

Have the courage to listen to a person who lacks the finer aspects of grammar and meet them where they are.

Correct them, if necessary, without taking away their dignity.

Can you reframe what someone is saying so others will understand, without making that person feel inferior?

How important is our language?