When Our Words Begin To Lose Meaning

In Hindi, there isn’t really a word for “Sorry.”

I am beginning to notice that there are many words we say a lot as Americans. Perhaps it's a safe  claim that we over-use some of these words. Being in India has really given me a perspective of what these words are, and exactly how frequently I say them.

For instance, I say “Sorry” so many times every day. I don’t even realize the extent of how often I say this until it is pointed out to me. And why do we feel the need to apologize so often? Is it part of our culture to have to feel sorry or regretful for many of our actions?

I was talking to my host sister about how much homework she has and I said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” Then she asks me, “Why are you sorry? There’s nothing you can do about it.” Due to the frequent nature of which we apologize, and often times for things we aren’t actually sorry about, how much do we actually mean it?

Or, "sure" for example. Does it mean yes? no? Why are we (or at least I) always so indecisive and not always very straight-forward with others?

Maybe another word, “Thank You,” for example. If we are “thankful” for absolutely everything, how thankful are we really? Or “Love You.” In India, it’s a cultural thing to not really say this at all. In the families, parents don’t tell their children or their spouses this frequently, so it is implied love. Similarly, there is also implied gratitude and implied apologies. If we say these words so many times, they begin to lose some of their meaning and possibly their impact. Whereas if we were to only say them only when we actually meant them….?