Nonverbal Messages

In which we discuss the importance of creativity in language. This includes taking a creative approach to language, and leveraging language to increase your own creativity, to help you make connections you may not otherwise.

“Proper" language use

Are you concerned with using language “properly”? Excellent! We also believe in the proper use of language. In fact, ajabanzabAn plans to write some useful books on the subject of grammar. We’ve also designed our magnet kits with a special eye for grammar. Each kit features a carefully chosen, well-rounded selection of all the parts and particles of speech necessary to make perfectly proper sentences. When used in conjunction with classroom instruction, the magnet kits can be a very proper educational tool.

Language Anarchy!

And yet, anarchy rockets through this website and our magnet kits like a winged turtle drunk on butane. Language is a wondrous and flexible code. When you unfold odd word combinations, they can spark your imagination and feed your creativity. They can lead to new possibilities, new insights, new visions, new meanings. Even when it doesn’t make “proper” sense words can trigger wondrous thoughts!

Some tips from Shakespeare

Therefore, we encourage you to play fast and loose with these words. Consider the legendary Shakespeare (who, coincidentally, coined the phrase “fast and loose”). He loved language and never let fears of conventional use inhibit him. In order to express his ideas, he invented over 1700 words that are commonly used today (such as “amazement”). He changed nouns into verbs, verbs into adjectives, connected words never before used together, added prefixes and suffixes, and when all else failed, simply made up a whole new word. He was a verbal bot-shekan (idol smasher). And yet they did not tell him he wasn’t doing it “right”. Instead they were struck with awe and declared his deviations to be the standard of “proper” English use which is inflicted on the rest of us to this day.