Semantics...

[Kaylara]

I've noticed that a lot of the time, we see writtings that change the way a "traditional" rede or creed (or whatever) are pronounced or stated. (ex. Everything she touches changes and She changes everything she touches.)

It may not seem like a big difference, but the difference between the two is enormous.
The first statement is saying that everything that she touches changes to please her.
The second statement is saying that she makes everything she touches change.

I know that people normally complain about arguing semantics but sometimes by changing the way something is said can dramatically change the entire meaning of the sentance.

What are your thoughts?

Kaylara

[StarryDancer]

"The first statement is saying that everything that she touches changes to please her. "

From my perspective, there is no implied "pleasing" involved here. Everything she touches changes -- a simple statement of inevitability, on a metaphysical level. In this reality, we could liken it to "everything fire touches gets heated".

"The second statement is saying that she makes everything she touches change. "

Ok, to me this implies an intention on her part -- that she deliberately touches in order to change something.

I've always heard this chant in the reverse order:
"She changes everything she touches, and everything she touches changes." So to me this has always meant that she does indeed intend to change what she touches -- and that what she touches agrees to be changed. The one seemed to follow form the other. Or maybe it was just the context?

Language is indeed a marvel, isn't it?

[Wildwood]

This is probably a silly question but I don't see how the phrase "Everthing she touches changes" means "everything she touches changes to please her".

I've read the post a couple of times and I just don't see it. Could someone point it out to me.

Wildwood

[Wildwood]

damn, one minute too late.

Sorry everyone.

I agree with starrydancer though. In the first sentence the focal point of the sentence is that fact that "everything changes". In the second sentence the emphasis is on the fact that "She" changes everything. The role of "she" in the second sentence appears much greater than in the first sentence.

Wildwood