We look through the words and perceive the meaning, just as we look through a window and see the view ... Sometimes a window is opaque.š There are blemishes on the surface and we become more aware of the glass than of what we are trying to see.š In the same way, individual words may divert our attention as we listen or read, so that awareness of the words comes between us and the meaning.š Like poorly constructed glass, inadequate words obscure the scene beyond.

    by Frank Smith     in "Misleading Metaphors of Education," in Joining the Literacy Club (p. 93)