Buddhism

in language and its relationship to dualistic thinking is useful approach ant relative to modern explorations of Buddhism.

Yes, my interest in E-prime (which was actually inspired by Robert Anton Wilson's interest) was along the same lines. At the very least, it jumps on the formal usage of the impact and relationship of "to be" to our thinking and behavior in terms of its limitations and common usage. As you may know, it is used in scientific writing in an attempt to achieve greater precision and clarity. Anyone who has attempted to use it in their own writing might find that the challenge itself can be insightful.

I have encountered several attempts to expand on Cartesian coordinates as a means to loosen the strictures of black and white thinking, as well. Leibniz approached the problem and Korzybski, (back in the thirties) nailed some essential problems and confusions about semantics Both seemed to demonstrate the value and insights that a mathematical approach can bring to communication and thought structures. However, I am not a linguist, so that subject matter is more of a personal exploration.

My thoughts are that there are, at least, three potential ways to delve deeply into the dualism in language. The first is that language is, by its very nature, dualistic because it is always a form of abstraction, i.e., about something but not the thing. For instance, I have a thought and, wanting to know about what the thought is, i generate another thought about it, etc. Cat is not a cat.

Our need and ability to abstract is not exclusive to our species, it is only the complexity of the phenomena that differs. Even a cell, when poked with a wire will abstract, (in gradients across the cell membrane, as per Korzybski) the stimuli and "represent" the effect upon itself as an abstraction of the actuality.

The second point in relation to my experience and understanding about Buddhist insights into this matter is that, on a gross level where we are thoroughly enmeshed, (captivated) in our self-representations of what is, that is also the extreme aspect of our absorption in dualistic thinking and experience. That involves the practical and pragmatic need to identify self and other, proximity and time, which exist, but merely as a matter of identification that allows us to easily function. it really isn't difficult to realize the delusion whereby the abstractions are taken for reality itself, or as it is.

From that perspective, consider a conversation. I speak, you listen. You speak, I listen. Yet, the divisions are conceptual and can even be exposed as arbitrary. You can try to draw exact lines that turn-out to be a matter of utility and context when deeply investigated. Trying to discover an actual, concrete division, (from my thoughts/brain to my vocal chords as vibrations traveling through the air to your eardrum and into your brain and through your filters/beliefs/experiences/knowledge for formulating a representation) is where it may be possible to directly know the spontaneity of a dependent arising and if there is an actual, (or represented) and satisfactory division to be found. That is a matter for inquiry, insight and experience, however.

The third perspective is that of meditation, which is utilized as a tool to directly investigate the nature of self, other and reality itself. This, from a Buddhist perspective, could even be a logical result of following the track of linguistic dualism, (and hence, its distortions and self-replication) to a direct, internal comprehension, if you are willing to follow through with it. We are the laboratory itself and we already have all the means to perform the experiments and prove the theory ourselves if we are so inclined.

Even if our tools are covered in the mud of conditioning and illusions and are not yet finely calibrated for best results, they are immediate and no money down. The manuals are out there and the Dharma can be a viable method for performing the operations.

I apologize for the long reflection on your remarks, but the subject of language is pertinent and pregnant with possibility.