Menu

Babel for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'beɪbəl

What does Babel really mean?

58 1
58
Babel is a word that has a few different meanings, but let's focus on the most common one. Have you ever heard the saying, "It's all Greek to me"? Well, "Babel" is kind of like that, but with a twist! You see, "Babel" refers to a place where people speak different languages and can't understand each other. It's like being stuck in a big crowd where everyone is talking at the same time, and you can't make sense of any words because they're all jumbled up.

Imagine being at a party with people from all over the world. You might hear someone speaking Spanish, another person speaking French, and someone else speaking Japanese. It's quite a messy and chaotic situation when everyone is trying to communicate but no one can understand each other. That's what "Babel" means - a confusion of voices and languages that make it difficult for people to communicate.

The word "Babel" actually comes from a story in the bible called the "Tower of Babel." In this story, people wanted to build a tall tower that would reach the heavens. But as a punishment for their pride and arrogance, the people were suddenly given different languages, and they couldn't understand each other anymore. So, the tower was never finished because everyone was speaking different languages and couldn't work together. This story is often used to explain why the world has so many different languages and why sometimes communication can be a challenge.

In a nutshell, "Babel" means a situation where people speak different languages and can't understand each other. It's like a big jumble of voices all mixed up together. So, the next time someone says "It's all Greek to me," you can tell them that it's like being in a Babel.

Revised and Fact checked by Brian Anderson on 2023-10-27 23:03:49

Babel In a sentece

Learn how to use Babel inside a sentece

  • When people from different countries and speak different languages come together in a big city, like New York or London, it can sometimes feel like a Babel of voices because you hear so many different languages being spoken.
  • Imagine being in a school cafeteria during lunchtime where everyone is talking loudly at the same time - it can become a Babel of voices.
  • During a music concert, if the sound system is not properly set up and you can hear multiple sounds overlapping each other, it can create a Babel of sound.
  • In a crowded marketplace with people shouting and vendors trying to get your attention, it can feel like a Babel of noise.
  • On a busy street with cars honking, people talking, and music playing from different shops, it can seem like a Babel of sounds.

Babel Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Babel Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Babel Holonyms

The larger whole to which this word belongs.

Babel Instances

Words that the original word is an example of.

Babel Category

The domain category to which the original word belongs.