The story of Kaspar Hauser was used to guide the concept of Watching Words theme, which was first developed in an Active Space workshop in 1994. We investigated relationships between language, surveillance and behavior, and the work was developed from the premise that while language is the first technology that people learn, we are often unaware of its powerful, even insidious effect on the way we think, feel, and act. Interactive performances of Watching Words were presented in 1994 in Vancouver, Canada, and in 1995 at New York City SoHo Electronic Arts Festival and at New York University - Interactive Performance Events. Currently, Watching Words is being revised as a videodance that will accompany live dance performance.