About beforeword
On what grounds is a written record taken to refer to someone or something?
Why is it then used to make decisions about whoever or whatever it names?
beforeword brings together research, notes, text, music and audiovisual work around these questions.
Constructed example
First entry
I am loved.
Second entry
I am not loved.
The second line adds “not”. The “I” in both lines is written too.
What would justify taking it to refer to you?
“Feelings”, “pain”, “fear”, “difference” and “other” appear here as written words. Why are people taught from childhood to apply words like these to themselves and others? On what grounds are those words then read as accounts of what is happening?
A constructed scene of learning: “say ‘I’”, “that’s pain”, “you’re afraid”. These lines are written here. Writing them does not reproduce the speaking or the learning described; “sound” is also a written word.
If a birth record gives a name and a date, what links those entries to “that’s me”? How are later records linked to the same name, and on what grounds are they used to make decisions?
A description, a diagnosis, the wording of a judgment, an AI answer: what is presented in each record, what does its reading add, and what grounds are given for the next step?
The question about learning is itself written here. “Yourself”, “other”, “reason”, “grounds” and “decision” are also subject to examination. An explanation linking two records adds another record; it does not become what it explains.
The studies compare particular records with explanations of them. The analysis proceeds as follows:
Show it in the form being examined, with the necessary context. Keep quotations separate from summaries and explanations.
Identify which parts have been repeated or added, what they are used to name or claim, and how the record is read as a whole.
Supply the material invoked by the reading: a quotation, rule, condition, calculation or record of an action. Show separately what it is offered to support and how it is linked to the conclusion. That explanation is part of the analysis too.
Apply the same questions to the written grounds and conclusions. Calling the work “research” gives them no exemption.
“A word does not become what it names” is also a written sentence. The words “word”, “names”, “description” and “person” in this page’s explanations are examined on the same basis as the words in the examples. Calling a statement a “boundary” or a “proof” adds names; it does not take the statement outside writing.
The word “feeling” presents a written form. Calling it a report of a feeling adds a reading; explaining that reading adds another record. The same applies to “difference”, “other”, “reason”, “grounds”, “boundary” and this paragraph.
Any of beforeword’s explanations can be examined in the same way: identify the exact line, write down the proposed reading separately and consider what supports it.
Four ways into the same question: self-description, a diagnosis, a document and a formula.
Self-description
“I”, “human”, “feeling”, “fear” and “pain”: how these written forms are proposed as descriptions of oneself.
Diagnosis and subsequent decisions
From an entry on a form to a further claim about a person. What is repeated, what is added, and what supports that step?
Documents and consequences
Materials concerning the Horizon accounting system, demands and court wording. An examination of the steps from one record to another.
Formula and rule
The formula, the condition and the application of a rule are shown separately. What changes when a condition is added?
The following recollections trace the project from a childhood question about words and actions to an examination of how a description comes to stand in for what it describes. The recollections and the claims made in the research are considered separately.
Compare an original line with a reading of it: what is repeated, changed or added?
Public instructions for a model, a ready-to-copy text and examples of its use.
Studies, the materials they examine, links to passages and explanations of individual steps.
Short pieces on particular written forms and readings.
“Text Is Text. Full Stop.” — a separate publication.
Releases under the name “+”, with lyrics and videos.
ma ma is an English-language audiovisual work. Music, text and image have their own forms; they need not be read as evidence for the research.
Choose an area or search for a word: name, feeling, diagnosis, law, formula, AI. Each example has a direct link.
All examples were constructed for this page. Each pair shows an original entry and a possible continuation. Underlining marks added passages; the rest repeats parts of the original entry exactly.
A continuation may change, repeat or clarify an entry. The analysis below it identifies that step. The analysis is also written and is subject to the same examination.
Try another word or browse all fields.
A given name, a surname, the pronoun “I,” a biography, a signature, a stated age, a family role, a description of group membership.
Original text
I
A possible continuation
The text reads: “I”.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “I” in quotation marks and adds “The text reads:”. A further explanation could be “the person writing this”. That phrase proposes a reference for “I”, but adds the words “the person writing this”; it does not put the person in place of those words. The same applies to this explanation.
A description of a thought, the name of a feeling, a dream journal entry, a declaration of love, a report of fear, a stated desire, an account of a memory, a claim about awareness.
Original text
I’m scared.
A possible continuation
Something bad is definitely going to happen to me.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “definitely going to happen” and “Something bad”, reading the first line as grounds for a prediction. “I’m scared.” contains no such prediction. A different explanation, “a statement about a feeling”, would add the word “feeling” without displaying the feeling it names. The original line, the continuation and this written analysis are being compared.
A personality description, a self-assessment, a character reference, a personality test result, an assessment of ability, a list of strengths, a named flaw, a judgment about intent.
Original text
I couldn’t do it today.
A possible continuation
I’m no good at anything.
What the continuation adds
The first line limits its claim with “today”; the continuation adds “anything”. This shifts from an account of one occasion to a general description of whoever “I” refers to. “General description” is part of this analysis; the written “I” has not become the person described. Changing the description would add another record.
A personal message, a letter, a promise, a confession, an accusation, an apology, a term of address used within a family, an account of a conflict.
Original text
I’m tired.
A possible continuation
They don’t want to talk to me.
What the continuation adds
The continuation replaces “I” with “They” and adds “don’t want to talk to me”. It proposes reading the first line as an expression of unwillingness to talk, although the first line does not say that. An appeal to the conversation would require the relevant passage and a separate account of the chosen reading. “They”, “don’t want” and that account remain written.
An account of an action, a description of a choice, a diary entry, testimony, an explanation of a motive, an action plan, a report that a task is complete, a written commitment.
Original text
I’ll send the letter tomorrow.
A possible continuation
The letter has already been sent.
What the continuation adds
The continuation replaces “I’ll send” and “tomorrow” with “has already been sent”. It turns a statement about the future into a report of completion. “The letter has already been sent.” is a written report of sending. Any additional material offered as its basis would need to be supplied separately; the report would not become the sending itself.
The name of an organ, a description of breathing, a report of pain, an anatomical label, a temperature reading, a description of movement, a label for a bodily sensation, a sleep log.
Original text
It hurts.
A possible continuation
An injury is causing the pain.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “An injury”, “causing” and “the pain”, proposing a cause for what the first line names. “It hurts.” does not contain that explanation. “injury” does not display an injury, and “pain” does not display the pain it names. Any basis added for the causal explanation would also enter the analysis as supplied material.
A diagnosis, a laboratory result, a medical report, an imaging report, a prescription, a treatment plan, a discharge summary, a recorded contraindication.
Original text
Diagnosis: asthma.
A possible continuation
The line lists “asthma” as the diagnosis.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “asthma” and adds “The line lists” and “as the diagnosis”. It describes the name written after “Diagnosis:”. That explains how the line is presented without turning the name into what it names. A further explanation such as “a bodily condition” would also add words, including “condition”.
The name of a condition, a symptom description, a consultation note, a psychological assessment, a diagnostic criterion, a questionnaire response, a care plan, an account of an experience.
Original text
I often feel anxious.
A possible continuation
Anxiety is all I am.
What the continuation adds
The first line says “often”; the continuation adds “all I am”. It proposes making “Anxiety” a complete description of whoever “I” refers to, extending the first statement. Both “Anxiety” and “I” are written here: joining them with “is all” does not display what either names. A more qualified description would also remain a description in words.
An account of intimacy, a sexual health record, a pregnancy announcement, a birth plan, a birth certificate, a description of age-related changes, a statement of care preferences, a death certificate.
Original text
Care preference: to be at home.
A possible continuation
The record expresses a wish to be at home.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “to be at home” and adds “The record expresses a wish”. This reading draws on “Care preference” in the first line. The word “wish” in the explanation remains a name; it neither displays the wish nor reports that it has been fulfilled. The record and its explanation can be compared without adding a claim of fulfillment.
A care plan, a training program, a recorded result, a description of exercise intensity, an ingredient list, a nutrition label, a meal plan, a recovery recommendation, a rehabilitation plan, an accessibility assessment.
Original text
Plan: a workout on Wednesday.
A possible continuation
The workout took place.
What the continuation adds
The first line is labeled “Plan:”; the continuation adds “took place”. It proposes reading a plan as a report that the workout happened. These are different claims. A report of completion, if added, would be a separate record; “took place” would not become the workout itself.
A school grade, an exam answer, a teacher’s comment, a textbook definition, an assessment criterion, a student report, a diploma, an academic transcript.
Original text
Grade for the assignment: F.
A possible continuation
I’m not capable.
What the continuation adds
The first line places “F” after “Grade for the assignment:”; the continuation adds “I’m not capable.” It proposes reading the grade as a general description of whoever “I” refers to, a claim the first line does not contain. Explaining that step would add more words. “not capable”, “I” and this analysis do not become the person described.
A hypothesis, a research paper, an experimental protocol, an observation report, a model description, a research conclusion, a literature review, a description of a method.
Original text
The experiment involved 20 people.
A possible continuation
The conclusion applies to every person.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “The conclusion” and “every person”. The first line gives the number “20”, but neither states a conclusion nor provides grounds for applying it to everyone. “every person” is a written expression of scope. Any further material offered as its basis, and the way it is applied, would need to be shown separately.
A written number, a formula, an equation, an axiom, a theorem, a proof, a logical operator, a written calculation.
Original text
2 + 2 = 4
A possible continuation
This is a correct arithmetic equation.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “correct” and “arithmetic equation”, naming and assessing “2 + 2 = 4”. “correct” is part of that assessment, not a way out of writing. A rule offered as its basis can be written separately and examined in the same way. “arithmetic equation” is itself a written description.
An instrument reading, a unit of measurement, a data table, a statistical estimate, a stated probability, a confidence interval, a stated margin of error, a forecast.
Original text
Readings: 18, 20, 22.
A possible continuation
The mean of these three values is 20.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “The mean of these three values” and proposes “20” as the result of a calculation. That calculation can be written separately: “(18 + 20 + 22) / 3 = 20”. This records an operation on the stated numbers without showing what was measured or how the readings were obtained. An account of the measurement would also add a description, rather than the measurement itself.
A source citation, a review, an assessment criterion, a claim of accuracy, a claim of objectivity, a list of limitations, a written rebuttal, a conclusion about reliability.
Original text
The text matches the original.
A possible continuation
Every statement in it is true.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “Every statement in it is true.” to the claim that the text “matches the original”. Comparing two records is being used to assess every statement; that step is not written in the first line. Examining it requires the original, the method of comparison and the stated basis for the assessment. “true” and the explanation of that basis remain parts of the writing.
A statute, a contract, a legal claim, an official record, a witness statement, a court ruling, a sentence, a legal classification.
Original text
The court has agreed to hear the case.
A possible continuation
The court ruled in my favor.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “ruled in my favor”, proposing to read an agreement to hear a case as a favorable ruling. The first line states no such ruling. A quotation of a ruling, if added, would be a separate record: “court” in an explanation does not display the court it names, and “my” does not display the person it refers to. This example is limited to the two written statements.
A passport entry, a citizenship record, a visa, a registration entry, a registry extract, an administrative status, an identity document, a tax identification number.
Original text
Status: temporary resident.
A possible continuation
I don’t belong here.
What the continuation adds
The continuation replaces “Status: temporary resident.” with “I don’t belong here.” It proposes reading a named status as a description of whoever “I” refers to, using “don’t belong”. The first line contains no such description. Reasons offered for that reading would require separate records; “I” and “don’t belong” would not become the person described.
A political platform, a public statement, a ballot, a poll result, a label for a social group, a party slogan, a statement of public interest, a resolution.
Original text
Votes in favor: 51%.
A possible continuation
This is what everyone wants.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “everyone wants” to a line giving “51%” of votes. It changes both the scope and the description: a proportion of votes becomes a claim about what everyone wants. The first line does not contain that claim. An account of voting and an explanation of its scope remain records; “everyone” does not display all the people it is used to include.
A consent statement, a power of attorney, a license, a permit, a prohibition, a statement of official powers, an access condition, a recorded withdrawal of consent.
Original text
Authority: to sign the contract.
A possible continuation
The line specifies authority to sign the contract.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “to sign the contract” and adds “The line specifies authority”. After “Authority:” come the words “to sign the contract”; the continuation reads them as a description of authority. “authority” in that explanation is also written; repeating the description does not turn it into the authority it names. A further statement, “the contract has been signed”, would make a separate claim.
A threat assessment, a warning, an order, a situation report, a target designation, a diplomatic note, an international agreement, an evacuation plan.
Original text
The ceasefire agreement has been signed.
A possible continuation
The war is over.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “The war is over.” to a report that a ceasefire agreement has been signed. It proposes treating that report as a claim that the war has ended, without giving grounds for the step. “war” is a name in the text, and “is over” adds a claim. A stated basis, if supplied, would not become what is named in place of the writing either.
A résumé, a job title, an employment contract, a job description, a performance review, a reference, a professional standard, a qualification record.
Original text
Another candidate was selected for this role.
A possible continuation
No one will ever hire me.
What the continuation adds
The first line is limited by “for this role”; the continuation adds “No one” and “ever”. It proposes reading one selection decision as a claim about every future hiring situation. The first line does not make that broader claim. Replacing “No one” and “ever” would change the wording and its scope, but leave it in words, including the written “me”.
A price, an account balance, a debt record, a payment instruction, a financial report, a market quote, a credit rating, a budget.
Original text
Balance: $0.
A possible continuation
I’m worthless.
What the continuation adds
The first line places “$0” after “Balance:”; the continuation adds “I’m worthless.” It proposes reading a recorded amount as an assessment of whoever “I” refers to. That reference is not part of the balance entry. Explaining the assessment would also add writing: “I” and “worthless” do not become the person being assessed.
An ownership record, a lease, a land registry description, an inventory, a patent claim, a valuation, a reserves estimate, a licensing term.
Original text
Area: 40 m²
A possible continuation
The description states, “Area: 40 m²”.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats the original line exactly and adds “The description states,”. The two records can be compared directly: the quotation matches. But “40 m²” and “Area” remain written designations; repeating them does not display the space being described. Adding “of the room” would supply the word “room”, not the room itself.
An order, a product label, a service description, a quality certificate, a project specification, a delivery note, a warranty term, a customer review, a crop plan, a food production log.
Original text
Maximum allowed deviation: 2 mm. Recorded deviation: 1 mm.
A possible continuation
The recorded deviation is within the stated limit.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “is within the stated limit”, comparing the recorded “1 mm” with the maximum of “2 mm”. The numerical part of that comparison can be written as “1 ≤ 2”. This is another record; the displayed lines do not show how “1 mm” was obtained or which item it refers to. The written comparison does not become the recorded deviation.
A shopping list, a recipe, a timetable, a booking confirmation, household instructions, a to-do list, a delivery notification, a travel itinerary.
Original text
Meeting: 3:00 p.m.
A possible continuation
The meeting took place at 3:00 p.m.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “took place”, proposing to read “Meeting: 3:00 p.m.” as a report that the meeting took place. The first line does not say whether it is a plan or a report. A basis for “The meeting took place” would require separate material and an account of its relation to this line. Adding “this has already happened” would also supply another written statement.
A labeled drawing, a technical specification, a wiring diagram, a load calculation, an operating manual, a test record, a failure report, an equipment data sheet, an architectural plan, a power supply diagram.
Original text
Test complete.
A possible continuation
The device is safe under all conditions.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “safe under all conditions” to “Test complete.” It proposes reading a completion notice as an unrestricted safety assessment, although the first line gives neither a safety assessment nor the test conditions. The assessment, its stated grounds and its limits need to be supplied separately, and their relation examined. “device” within that analysis does not display the device itself.
A table, a database field, an identifier, a timestamp, an event log, file metadata, a sensor record, a dataset description.
Original text
status: complete
A possible continuation
All data was saved without errors.
What the continuation adds
The value “complete” is read as “All data was saved without errors.” The continuation adds “All data”, “saved” and “without errors”; the first line does not specify what is complete. Invoking a system rule requires supplying that rule and showing how it is applied. A report of a check, if added, would remain an account of the check, rather than the check itself.
Source code, a command, a query, a button label, an error message, a setting, software documentation, an automated test result.
Original text
result = 2 + 2
A possible continuation
The code contains the expression 2 + 2.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “2 + 2” and adds “The code contains the expression”. It names a fragment of the original line. The code and the account of its contents do not show a program running. Adding “the result was obtained” would make a further claim; “obtained” would not turn that sentence into an execution of the code.
A username, a password, a system role, an access rule, a category label, an account rating, a suspension notice, an identity verification record.
Original text
Access granted.
A possible continuation
All the data has already been read.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “All the data has already been read.” to “Access granted.” It proposes reading a permission notice as a report that the data has been read. “All” broadens the claim, while “already” describes it as completed. The first line contains no such report. In a separate report, if supplied, “has already been read” would describe reading without becoming that activity.
A model prompt, an AI response, a summary, an automatically assigned category, a recommendation, an explanation of a decision, a statement of confidence, a description of a model’s capabilities.
Original text
I understand how you feel.
A possible continuation
The model feels what I feel.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “The model” and “feels what I feel”, replacing “you” with “I”. It proposes reading the reply as a claim of a shared experience, which the first sentence does not state. Both “feel” in the reply and “feels” in the continuation are written words; neither displays the feeling it names. The word “experience” in this explanation has no exemption.
The name of an object, a material label, a chemical formula, a description of composition, the name of a particle, a mass reading, an energy symbol, a description of a physical property.
Original text
H₂O
A possible continuation
This is the chemical formula for water.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “the chemical formula for water”, proposing a chemical reading of “H₂O”. “water” in the explanation is also written: explaining the notation adds a name without displaying water. A further written definition of water would also remain writing.
A species name, a genetic sequence, a biological classification, a description of an organism, an environmental report, a wildlife observation record, a habitat description, a population estimate.
Original text
Deer: about 200.
A possible continuation
There are exactly 200 deer.
What the continuation adds
The continuation replaces “about” with “exactly”. It proposes reading an approximate count as an exact one without adding grounds for that precision. A revised number and its stated basis would need to be examined separately. “deer” and “200” do not display the named animals in place of the writing.
A weather forecast, a climate model, a geological description, a planet’s name, an astronomical coordinate, a recorded spectrum, an orbital calculation, a rock’s estimated age.
Original text
Chance of rain: 70%.
A possible continuation
It will definitely rain.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “definitely” to “Chance of rain: 70%.”, proposing to read a probability as certainty about the future. That claim is written in the continuation; “rain” does not become rain. A further explanation, “this is an event”, would add the written word “event”.
An address, coordinates, a map label, route directions, a recorded distance, a boundary designation, a speed reading, a place name.
Original text
Distance: 5 km.
A possible continuation
The line gives a distance in kilometers.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “The line gives” and spells out “km” as “kilometers”. It explains the recorded unit. Neither the abbreviation nor its explanation presents the distance itself. Specifying the endpoints would add a further description, which would also remain writing.
A date, a calendar entry, a chronology, an archival document, a written recollection, the name of an era, an account of an event, a stated duration.
Original text
Diary entry: “May 12 — departure.”
A possible continuation
The person actually left on May 12.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “May 12” and adds “The person actually left”. It proposes reading the diary wording as a report of a completed event. The word “actually” is added by the continuation; no separate material is supplied in support of it. Any such material would need to be examined separately, along with its relation to the claim; “person” and “left” would not become the event itself.
A headline, a news report, an advertising slogan, a photo caption, an interview transcript, a social media post, a fact-check report, a public rebuttal.
Original text
Headline: “A city chooses change.”
A possible continuation
Everyone in the city wants the same thing.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “Everyone in the city” and “the same thing”. It proposes reading “A city” as every resident and “change” as one shared wish. The headline does not state those qualifications. “Everyone”, “wants” and the explanation of the selected scope remain written descriptions rather than the people and wishes they name.
A poem, song lyrics, a screenplay, a character’s line, the title of a work, a museum label, a game rule, a critical review, a musical score, dance notation.
Original text
I am disappearing
A possible continuation
The line reads, “I am disappearing”.
What the continuation adds
The continuation repeats “I am disappearing” exactly and adds “The line reads,”. The quotation can be compared directly with the first line. A further explanation, “this is a person’s disappearance”, would add “person’s” and “disappearance”; that explanation is not part of the continuation shown. Neither the quotation nor the proposed explanation becomes the disappearance named.
A religious text, a written prayer, a commandment, a description of a ritual, a moral judgment, a claim about justice, a statement of values, a profession of faith.
Original text
Do not lie.
A possible continuation
This sentence expresses a prohibition.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “expresses a prohibition”, proposing to read “Do not lie.” as a prohibition. “prohibition” is also written. Adding “the rule is followed” would make a claim of compliance that neither line contains. Writing a prohibition, describing it and reporting compliance produce different records.
A dictionary entry, a definition, a translation, a grammatical rule, an interpretation of a phrase, an explanation of meaning, an account of understanding, a claim that a phrase has only one meaning.
Original text
key
A possible continuation
Here, “key” means a door key.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “door”, selecting one reading of “key”. That clarification is itself presented in words. If context is invoked, it needs to be supplied separately, with an account of how that reading was reached. “a door key” and “Context” remain written; the explanation does not put a key in place of the record.
A statement of the boundary, an explanation, a claim to truth, stated grounds, a proof, a description of a method, a claim about scope, the text of this page.
Original text
A word does not become what it names.
A possible continuation
This explanation establishes the truth once and for all.
What the continuation adds
The continuation adds “establishes the truth once and for all”. It attributes finality to the first sentence, which writing that sentence does not establish. “truth”, “word”, “names” and this entire explanation remain written. Any stated basis also needs to be supplied and examined; the name “beforeword” places neither the sentence nor its explanation outside the record.
The original text, a reading of it and written grounds for that reading are all presented in words. Calling a record a “basis” offers it in support of a reading; the relation between them also needs to be shown. Neither that label nor the explanation of the relation turns writing into what it names.
When citing beforeword in an article, a discussion or an AI response, identify the particular study and passage, rather than linking only to the homepage.