Recent consideration of good and bad language, prompted by follow up from my post on the divine and the vulgar, suggested looking into the terms “vain jangling” and “vain babbling” as early scriptural precedents for how language becomes corrupted.

The context of the terms “vain jangling” and “vain babbling” is interesting because it is so strict; the terms appear only in Paul’s epistles to Timothy. I took the opportunity to go to the Oxford English Dictionary to see what they had to say about the history of these words. There is a lot of overlap between the three terms, “vain”, “babbling”, and “jangling;” but there are also some important observations.

“Vain” as used here is not really related to “vanity” as we think of it today, about people centered on themselves. Instead it refers to emptiness of meaning and value. My first mission Zone Conference was about “learning the language” and President Osguthorpe’s instructions included removing the word “awesome” from our vocabulary because it had become vain and was used thoughtlessly and habitually.

Babbling and jangling are words we are probably less familiar with; it’s actually been hundreds of years since “jangling” was in use. The important distinction is that “jangling” refers to quantity and loudness of speech, while “babbling” has to do with the quality and appropriateness of the content. The usage of “jangling” is in some ways similar to the idea of “twittering” as birds do it, but jangling would be more raucous and jarring. Appropriate to the context of Paul, jangling also indicates angry, harsh, and contentious language.

With these definition in mind I think the most meaningful conclusion is to consider opposites. Speech that is anti-babbling is wise, relevant, and appropriate. Anti-jangling is soft, both in noise and in content. Both of these are concerned with avoiding over-much speaking. Finally, anti-vain language will be valuable, useful, and powerful.

In the Book of Mormon some of the most powerful sections on divine language include 3 Nephi 18-19. I believe the greatest example of what is NOT vain babblings or janglings is 19:24, which refers to the language of the people as they offer mighty, inspired prayer:

…they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.

Definitions (from OED)

Babbling: The action or fact of speaking in a foolish, incoherent, or indiscreet manner; prattling; prating; tattling; an instance or example of any of these.

Jangling: To talk excessively or noisily; to chatter, babble, prate; said also of birds. Often applied contemptuously to ordinary speaking. To speak angrily, harshly, or discordantly; to grumble, murmur; to contend, dispute, wrangle, squabble.

Vain: Devoid of real value, worth, or significance; idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless; of no effect, force, or power; fruitless, futile, unavailing.