Reflection on the Nature of Language in Rumi's Thought

Roomi believes that man’s essence parallels language and narratives which is the story of separation from their original home and enthusiasm to return to it. That is why Roomi calls men a nay (i.e., reed), the meaning of which denotes nonexistence. Nay is nothing but a voice that is the result of its connection to the lips flowing into it. Man is a voice of pain and love. His voice is the language of dialogue, and dialogue depends on sympathy, and sympathy is the result of common attention to original home and essential origin. At the same, language is the most dangerous thing, because it is like a stone and fire which can set a world on fire. Roomi considers the relationship between word and meaning, which is appraiser of language, as the relationship between body and soul or river and water. As body cannot bear soul, meaning always transcends the word. Therefore, the relationship between word and meaning is not viewed as signifier and signified, and the meaning of word depends on where and how it is used. Roomi does not regard language only as a tool to understand others, but he considers the essence of man as language. However, according to him, language, of course, can be changed to mere idle talk. On the contrary to subjective and humanistic modern theories that regard men as the foundation of anything and consider language as something subjective and relate it only to man and merely as expressions of sensations and intentions, Roomi names men as nay because he wants to emphasize that men are not materials, substances, subjects, ego, and so forth. Roomi believes that the real language is the language of truth flowed into nay through another perspective which is only heard and not felt by the superficials.