What does this mean?"a word is dead when it is said,some say.I say it just begins to live that day."?

Question

What does this mean?"a word is dead when it is said,some say.I say it just begins to live that day."?

Answer 1

The first sentence is saying that, when someone says a word, the sound ends and the word "dies." The second sentence is saying that, when a word is said, just because the sound stops at the end of the word doesn't mean it doesn't keep "living" in our minds.

Like, if someone says "soup." When the person finishes saying the word, the sound is gone and the word "dies." But the person who is listening might be hungry, and think "Oh, I want soup." He keeps thinking about soup all day, even though the sound of the word "soup" isn't there anymore.

Does that help?

Answer 2

Ah, it's just the way you look at it. On one hand you could say: the word is spoken, it came out of my mouth and as soon as the sound fades, it is gone. But on the other hand, you can also say: by saying a word, I send it in the universe and it starts its own life. Now other people hear it and can use it as well. Especially if you use an unexisting word (neologism), then it is your creation and it starts its life by coming out of your mouth.