I tried to answer some questions.
(1) You wrote a lot about “talent” but this makes me curious. I’ve heard there is no concept of talent as a “god given thing” in eastern cultures. I know we can read the dictionary definition, but I wonder how you understand this word itself.
===>I mean, “talent” in Japanese “才能”, If a person had talent, s/he has high ability inherently.I think it related a gene of parents or ancestors in real than god. It is a definitely good gift. However, it unchangeable and can’t select by own will. I often used it my excuses when I gave up many things. Play piano? learn accounting? I don’t have talent, so I can’t! but, I now stop to use that excuse because I realized it not cool.
(2)This makes me think about whole concept of understanding and communication as exchanging definitions. Even in my native language we often discuss some words and dictionaries are not helpful every time. Or we consider written definition as archaic.
===> In this part, I agree with you.
(3)I remember when you pointed out that in the west people treat words differently, then I found a quote from the bible about word that was with God. But I still don’t understand the difference. How do you view words?
===>Japanese also recognize words have power. It related to sound.
(4)For example our sense of magic is deeply connected with magical words, spells that were pronounced. And we teach children no to “call for wolfs” which means that if you say someone’s name out loud they’ll come.
===>We, Japanese have the similar sense, I guess.
(5)That’s why in many countries a word for bear is very similar to bear, but in Poland it is Niedźwiedź which is like “you-know-who” from Harry Potter. Literally it means “the one that eats honey”. Oh, in English there is “talk of the devil – and the devil appears”. Probably that’s also why there are so many names of the devil. euphemisms.
===>this example is a little bit complicated to me because I didn’t read Harry Potter. but I maybe understood what you said. In Japan, There are several unlucky words; taboo words. For example, in the wedding, it banned to use. because people imagine that the words will bring bad things.
e.g. devide（分かれる）cut （切れる）
Repeat words are also banned to use on ceremonial occasions: wedding or funeral.
e.g. often(しばしば、度々) again（再々）
(6)so two questions:
talent? ===> cf.(1)
names, words?===> cf.(3)(4)(5)