言
This Chinese character means say.
You can watch how to write this. - (「言」の書き順（筆順）動画 - 漢字書き順辞典)
There are 3 main ways to read this, "いう (言う)" or "げん" or "こと".
When this is combined with other Chinese characters, this is often read as "げん" or "こと".
For example, "言語 (げんご)" means language, and "言葉 (ことば)" means word.
"語 (ご)" also means language in this context.
"葉 (は)" means leaf of plants.
The Japanese of old thought that word had spirit.
Good words have a good influence on people.
On the contrary, bad words have a bad influence on people.
They named it "言霊 (ことだま)".
"霊 (れい)" means spirit or soul or ghost.
That is correct, psychologically.
By Higashi-Mikawa Kyōjindō Shujin (東三河狂人堂主人)