Clearly, they do. It is a necessary tool; a means of communicating; without them, we lose the ability to function in a society. The loss of meaning comes about because we fail to use our discretion.
In a vibrant society, it is always good to try new applications, accept new words and meanings derived from other cultures, and to embrace the richness of cross-cultural usages and applications. But precision of meaning is another matter. Precision and proper application, done in a manner which refuses to be superficial or flippant, is important in maintaining the importance of words, their meanings, and their conceptual boundaries.
When we loosely use language in a careless manner, it diminishes the precision required of a culture. Words, in order to retain their proper meaning, must be used to mean something; and it is the obligation of each person to attempt to use some sense of discretion in utilizing the important tool of communication.
For Federal employees and U.S. Postal workers who suffer from a medical condition and must by necessity file an effective Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, be fully aware that a FERS Disability Retirement application is a paper presentation conveying information, arguments and data through words which mean something.
How an application is prepared; what phrases are used; what meaning is meant to be conveyed — they all comprise an effective (or ineffective) Federal Disability Retirement application.
Contact a disability attorney who specializes in Federal Disability Retirement Law and begin the process of making sure that your words actually mean something.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Lawyer
OPM Disability Retirement, Et Cetera… 