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Language and Memory
by Richard Miller
© Copyright 2006

In language today, we commonly use the word _remember_ to convey many different memory functions. We have an ability to _recall_, an auditory word, which often triggers memory recollection into perceptible thought. We also have recollection, returning, and recognizing. In this thesis I discuss these functions of memory.

In one recognized etymology, _remember_ comes from the Latin constructs _re-_ (again) combined with _memor_ (mindful). From this, we could construct the word _remember_ to mean "to again fill the mind with." Also, we could see a definite connection to the construction _re-_ (again) combined with the Latin _membrum_ (member). _Member_ means a distinct part of a whole, in reference to a living thing. In this sense of the word, _remember_ means to reconstruct the relations in a physical memory between different experiences. Remembering can either include the present relations in tact, adding to those already present - which would not be _re-_ membering, but adding to the membering, the physical connections between stored experiences - or a removal of certain connections found to go against the principle of life, then connection of relative membrane.

_Recollect_ comes from _re-_ (again) combined with _colligere_ (to gather together), which probably breaks into _com-_ (together) and _legere_ (to gather). This marks, attaches a word to, an internal - subjectively experienced - mental function. Thus, we have a word to convey our mental ability to reassemble our stored experience into perceptible thought.

We have the ability to _recall_, an auditory word, to trigger the reassembly of stored experience into perceptible thought (vocally triggered memory recollection). Again, we use here _re-_ (again) combined this time with possibly the Old Norse _kalla_, meaning to summon with the voice, through language to mind, an idea; _idea_ here meaning a partial or complete past experience. This idea relates to _invocation_ and _evocation_ through the Latin construct _vocare_ (to call), which I wrote about elsewhere.

_Recognize_ probably comes from the Latin _recognoscere_, which breaks down into _re-_ (again) combined with _cognoscere_ (to know). According to the dictionary, _recognize_ means "to know to be something that has been perceived before; to identify or know from previous experience or knowledge." _Cognoscere_ also relates to the word _cognition_, which shows a different interpretation of the word _cognoscere_ (to learn), a combination of _co(m)-_ (with) and _gnoscere_ (to know). The dictionary shows "The mental faculty or process by which knowledge is acquired; knowledge gained, as through perception, reasoning, or intuition" as definition for _cognition_. So, to cognize means to know with, presumably other people, and to recognize means to again know with. Essentially, cognizance happens when we, and others with us in agreement, experience through our senses the world.

When we recall a memory to mind, we can _conceive_, _return to_, or _relive_ the stored experience. The word _conceive_ probably came from the Latin _concipere_, which breaks down into _com-_ (with) combined with _capere_ (to take). The dictionary gives " to apprehend mentally; understand." So when we _conceive_, we see the relations of a piece of experience to other experiences. When we _return_ to a memory (stored past experience), we contact the memory in full. The word _return_ probably comes from _re-_ here translated as (back) - but I see (again) as applicable - combined with the Latin _tourner_ (to turn). The dictionary shows "to reflect or send back" as definition for _return_. To _relive_ means, "to undergo again, especially via the imagination."

_Recount_ probably breaks down into the Latin constructs _re-_ (again) combined with _conter_ (relate). The dictionary provides "to narrate the facts or details of; enumerate" as definition. _Conter_ probably stems from the Latin _computare_ (to compute), a combination of _com-_ (together) and _putare_ (to think). _Relate_ probably comes from the Latin _re-_ (again) combined with _ferre_ (to bear). Thus, when we _return_, then we can _recount_. When we recount, we compute, bear, together the past experience.

The dictionary shows _remind_ to mean "to cause to remember." We could also restate this as "again to make past sensory input or combinations thereof (experience) available to the eye of the mind; to represent to conscious focus." According to the above definitions, to _remind_ seems to cause one to _recognize_, instead of remembering or recollecting.

A clear thinking person has no unsolved puzzles stuck in his mind to solve. Through _recall_ and _recounting_ we can create Clears. Once Clear, a person can then, and only then, make a knowing choice about a puzzle to invest his energy towards solution. Thus, the possible selection of the puzzle _Operating Thetan_ - one who chooses to help others free their minds up to compute according to what they desire to work on.