In physics, the past participle of “reflect” is “reflex“: to reflect back, in the form of reflected waves, a portion of light energy. In everyday language, it is used to express externally, referring to thoughts, feelings, and moods. It is also used to mean to focus one’s mind on an object, to consider it carefully, to think about it over and over again.
If we want to delve into the specifics of our language, we can cite the past participle of “reflect,” which becomes “riflettuto,” a term with a vaguely archaic sound that is almost unheard of in everyday speech.
Personally, the most intriguing definition of the term “reflect” is the way we use it almost as if it were a mirror. For example: Clara’s face reflected kindness and sweetness. The term “reflect” becomes a linguistic selfie, if I may say so. When I see girls using their phones, or rather their cameras, as a mirror to check their makeup or a smear of lipstick, I immediately imagine the linguistic translation of this gesture, but on a different level, unrelated to the mechanics of smartphones, yet naturally close to the meaning of looking in the mirror.
Clara can look at herself in the old mirror at home, or she can frame herself with the camera. Similarly, Clara, smiling, can reflect her good nature to her friends; or, focused on a particular beauty in nature, she can reflect on the infinite.
I like the term “reflect” because it’s synonymous with taking time, doing things slowly. “Reflect” has an intrinsic meaning that isn’t explicitly stated, but it slows down the clock, puts a stop to thoughts, and encourages discussion.
I’d like all the students at the Pascal Institute to consider the term “reflect” in these various meanings, to forget about their smartphones and social media for a while during the day. I’m taking this opportunity to give a task to all the students who read this article: every day, take a verb you like, with positive connotations, and calmly take its meaning literally, transposing it into action!
Nicoletta Coppo
